Quicksand Review

Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

GeorgeChabot
Conyers, GA

Andy Hardy woos the Dragon Lady: Quicksand

Movie guru, Film noir guru, fan of clever plots, admirer of great storytelling, movie connoisseur, Lover of quirky, unique films

Pros

Mickey Rooney, Jeanne Cagney, Peter Lorre, Story

Cons

Ending lets him off the hook

NOV

2008

Quicksand —

Quicksand (1950)

Mickey Rooney had made his name playing kids and was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. As he grew out of childhood, he tried an adult part on for size.

Quicksand made Rooney a lover with a beautiful chick on a string. But he was looking for new conquests so when a new girl (Jeanne Cagney) crossed his line of sight, he had to try taking her out. Jeanne Cagney (Jimmy's sister), the new girl, was a little too much for Mickey and she got him into trouble way beyond his depth.

It started with just a small thing, a sin, really, and led to crime after crime like fate itself was stalking our hero. Rooney realized he was out of money and despite everything he tried he couldn't get any dough to show the new girl a good time. Rather than putting the date off, he tapped the auto dealer's till for $20, intending to replace it the next day when his buddy gives him the twenty he owes him. This is the little thing off which the story builds with one bad thing coming after another until Rooney is fleeing for his life.

The movie is a morality play and Rooney makes the story live much better than a lesser actor could.

The DVD is from Alpha Video a public domain publisher. There are no extras but Quicksand is a very good example of the dark side of life that is the focus of film noir.

Last edited on Nov 01, 2008

Quicksand is recommended by GeorgeChabot

Review inappropriate? Copyright violation?

add GeorgeChabot to my friends list add to my favorites email to a friend subscribe to feed

Search Amazon.com for Quicksand prices

Comments about GeorgeChabot’s Review

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Dec 16, 2008 at 6:07AM:

Hey, that is so gratifying to hear, Anna! Thanks for telling me my recommendation was good. I liked Jeanne Cagney and of course her brother Jimmy was one of the best. The new bike is doing fine and thanks for warning me about the crazies out there. You're right! Merry Christmas!

Hi, George! I just wanted to tell you that I did end up renting this movie from NetFlix and watched it yesterday. What a great film! Like a lot of film noir movies, it was both very upsetting and also compelling and entertaining to watch. Didn't Jeanne Cagney look like her brother -- she even WALKED like him! Thank for the recommendation, I really enjoyed the movie and hadn't seen it before. How's that new bike coming? Be careful, especially now when the crazies are out on the road for the holidays. Catch ya later!

In response to LaurieM's comment from Nov 2, 2008 at 11:07AM:

Thanks much, Laurie! :>

Interesting review as always!

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Nov 2, 2008 at 2:11AM:

Sure, Anna. Jeanne was really good here, in a bad way. ;>

Thanks for the memory, George! I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid but I hadn't really appreciated it then and I might give it another look. I'm glad to see that Jeanne Cagney went on to get some other parts after "Yankee Doodle Dandy". She was such so attractive and sure looked like her bro!

In response to GigiandAdonai's comment from Nov 1, 2008 at 5:32PM:

Oh, I see. I haven't seen much of Rooney's newer stuff. His heyday was mostly around WWII or so. Sounds worthwhile, though. ;>

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Nov 1, 2008 at 5:23PM:

Bill is a more recent movie, like in the early '80s. Rooney plays an older homeless, gentleman with mild retardation or some sort of learning disability. A student or it may be a younger professor takes him under his wing and the movie is all about friendship and accepting differences. My family has always loved it and once in a while it will show on Hallmark or one of your classic cable networks. The last time I saw it I recorded it for prosperity sake. It's a good movie on morals, values and what makes life worth living.

In response to GigiandAdonai's comment from Nov 1, 2008 at 5:02PM:

I can't remember Bill but I remember the Andy Hardy movies where he was the young hunk. Thanks for sharing! :>

In response to Meri's comment from Nov 1, 2008 at 4:31PM:

Well unless you are over 58, I would say yes. ;>

My parents are fans of Mickey Rooney. I loved him in the movie "Bill." Do you remember that one? I also watched him when he played opposite of Judy Garland in the coming of age movies.