from a mile away

in hollywood there are these apartments that are spanish style bungalows. even the ones with small rooms seem glamorous. the grounds have palms and landscaping, and sometimes a small pool with leaves floating in it. the courtyard is tiled and late at night you can hear the sound of heels clacking.

when the film, 'in a lonely place', begins, you learn that the two main characters, who live in this environment, don't know one another. yet.

shut up in one bungalow is a writer, played by humphrey bogart. miles away in her own bungalow across the courtyard, is a young woman. the writer gets accused of a murder, the woman across the courtyard gets called in to answer questions. it is within the small questioning room that these two get their first long look at one another. their sexual attraction sets the tone for this film is which no one knows who they can trust.

actress gloria grahame is very special. she has a sweet face, a baby voice (with a lisp) and though she played so many 'bad' parts, she gets to be a nice person in this.

directed by her husband, nicholas ray, this movie is one of humphrey bogart's most admired. as a suspect, he is mercilessly hounded and the more his love grows, the further apart the situation places him. sometimes when life is unfair, loneliness seems the greatest unfairness of all.