If I say I enjoy a good murder mystery it will be an understatement; I love murder mystery. And when there is a conspiracy in every turn, the culprit remains a question mark and the dead makes people’s life an inferno, you know that movie will be worth your while. I have to say that this is the first time I have seen a movie directed by John Cromwell and acted by Lizabeth Scott. The story and how the characters have played out is enthralling.
I hated every part of her but I couldn't figure her out yet. I wanted to see her the way Johnny had. - Rip Murdock
Dead Reckoning (1947) is a movie with Humphrey Bogart and Lizabeth Scott as leading actors and featuring Morris Carnovsky. You should hear Bogart narrating the event that took place. The movie starts with Captain “Rip” Murdock (Humphrey Bogart) telling an en-paratrooper padre about what’s going on before he’s met with any unfortunate incident. The war is over and the world is starting to go back to normal. Two paratroopers, Captain “Rip” Murdock (Humphrey Bogart) and Sergeant Johnny Drake (William Prince) got urgently called back home but weren’t given a reason. Later on, they discovered Sgt. Drake will be awarded Medal of Honor, and upon hearing that Sgt. Drake fled from the train station before photographers could take his picture. Rip (Bogart) while tracking him, goes to Sgt. Drake’s last known location Gulf City; after waiting for him for 2 days Rip figured out Drake is dead.
The more murder of Sgt. Drake got complicated the more shocking information kept coming to light. He was a prime suspect of a murder and that was the reason he assumed a different identity and joined the Army and the man he had supposedly murdered was the husband of his lover Coral (Lizabeth Scott). In the meantime, another Friend of Drake gets assassinated to frame Rip and Rip’s neck was on the noose. More and more twisted the plot gets as the story continues to move onwards. Love, life, future all in jeopardy and it seemed like staying alive is the best they can hope for; but that wasn’t meant for all.
The riddle of why Drake killed Coral’s husband was being unfolded slowly or did he actually murdered him was the bigger question. In the meantime, romance ensues between Rip and Coral; they start to think of a life together away from everything. Love found them at the worst possible time. Little did they knew that things will never be the same and everything turns upside down with more traitorous incidents take place.
As many films as I saw of Humphrey Bogart, this was his best performance, although Lizabeth Scott could do a little better, with looks and husky voice, just a little more effort on her performance was all that was needed; not complaining though. The movie is all wrapped up in mysterious death; lookie here that’s the murderer, no no lookie here this is the criminal. There ain’t no rest for the wicked.
