Kick-Back Friday: #107

Raw Deal (1948): Underappreciated noir from director Anthony Mann,* with moody voiceover narration from Claire Trevor, the Queen of Noir. A northern California setting provides the fog.

The story: Homme fatale Joe (Dennis O'Keefe) takes the prison rap for a crime boss, Rick (Raymond Burr), who owes Joe 50 Gs. Rick then sets up a prison escape for Joe, while relying on the odds that he'll get caught. But Joe escapes the police dragnet with the aid of his lovesick BFF (Trevor) and the reluctant cover of a pretty legal aid.

Despite the caliber of the film, the transfer to DVD (Classic Media) provides the bare minimum. Not even a subtitle option to catch every last drop of juicy screenplay—let alone any deserving commentary.

* Of noir and western fame.