BARNEY'S CAFE
The movie opens with a stop at Barney's Cafe. Though the patrons joke about the food and they drink the coffee for the sugar, the counter is always packed with truckers. Not much elbow room to wolf down a hamburger before hitting the road but the service is fast with a little bit of sass.
A crowded night at Barney's
Raft, Sheridan, and Bogart
MANDEL'S CAFE
From one cafe to the next, these truckers know where to go. Mandel's Cafe is the next stop on the road trip.
Best place for a steak
Mandel's offers more than just food. Pinball machines are available to take your mind off the road. Coffee is just a nickel and the steaks are served rare. Interesting lattice arches decorate the dining room and frame the bar. Unlike Barney's, there is plenty of space between the tables. Similar to Barney's, the service is quick and sarcastic. Deals go down at Mandel's.
Relax with a game of pinball
Quick service. Quicker sarcasm
A BROTHER'S HOME
Sometimes it's good to be off the road. Nothing hits the spot like a home-cooked meal with family and friends talking politics, advantages, and hospital bills.
Dinner at home
NIGHTCLUB
Need to lighten the mood? Head off to the neighborhood nightclub. It doesn't even need a name because everyone already knows it's there. A full orchestra provides dance music. Vines grow through the lattice work here. Geometric-patterned hanging lights create an intimate mood. An ideal place for lonely hearts to meet their soul mates without exchanging names.
That nightclub place
THE PRIVATE PARTY
The final stop of this week's crawl takes us to the boss's house for a private party. Fully staffed with cooks, butlers, maids, and other domestic engineer positions, it's always best to let the boss make the drinks, especially when he pours heavy. (Just don't let the wife catch him getting out of hand: Things can get ugly...)
The boss always pours heavy
(Not a sequel to The Postman Always Rings Twice)
Raft, Lupino, and Hale, Sr.
AND NOW THE STORY
Two brothers set out with a single truck to build an empire hauling produce. Along the way one brother finds love, one brother overcomes a tragedy. They both become embroiled in the suspicious death of their boss when one of the brothers is framed for killing their friend.
Raoul Walsh directs a script by Jerry Wald and Richard Macauley based on the novel, The Long Haul by A.I. Bezzerides. In addition to the all-star cast mentioned earlier, the movie also showcases Gail Page, Roscoe Karns, Joyce Compton, and Marie Blake, best known as Grandmama on the original The Addams Family.
One last thing. Until I saw this movie, I was unaware of the scope of Ida Lupino's talent. I knew her only from guest appearances on TV shows like Charlie's Angels, Columbo, and The Twilight Zone. She gives an absolutely amazing performance in this movie.
The amazing Ida Lupino
That's the last stop for this week's Lonely Street Bar Noir Pub Crawl. Until next time, go settle your tab.
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