NOBODY LIVES FOREVER

"A third of something is better than all of nothing."

John Garfield stars as seasoned con man Nick Blake in director Jean Negulesco's 1946 film noir NOBODY LIVES FOREVER. The screenplay, by genre veteran W.R. Burnett, is by-the-numbers but still manages to provide interest and excitement in this post war crime thriller.

The film opens with Nick's release from a military hospital. He's met by his old crony, Al (George (BEWITCHED) Tobias) who is anxious to pick up the con game where the two were forced to leave off because of the war. Nick wants none of his old life. He plans to reunite with his girl, Toni Blackburn (the smoldering Faye Emerson) who was supposed to have invested Nick's cash savings into a business. Turns out she's thrown Nick over for slick night club owner Chet King (Robert (THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN) Shayne). Disgusted, Nick and Al leave New York and head for California for a fresh start. 

In Los Angeles, Nick meets up with veteran con man Pop Gruber (Walter (THE REAL McCOY'S) Brennan). Seems Pop has been contacted by con artist wannabe Doc Ganson (George (CITIZEN KANE) Coulouris) who needs a stake of cash to run a major con job. Doc wants Nick's money to front an operation to take a wealthy widow, Gladys Halvorsen (the smoking hot Geraldine Fitzgerald) for a huge sum. Nick agrees to the operation but only if he's allowed to run the con his way. 

Which means it's Nick that cozies up to the attractive widow and, wouldn't you know it, ends up falling in love with her. The screws tighten when old flame Toni shows up in L.A. and blows Nick's cover while at the same time the desperate, greedy Doc decides to take matters into his own hands by kidnapping Gladys. 

The action comes to a violent climax on a fog shrouded pier where Nick, Al and Pop face off against Doc and his gang. 

Sure it's routine stuff but it's extremely pleasurable routine stuff. It's a treat to watch such a talented cast at work under the direction of an accomplished director with a tight screenplay and an ace cinematographer, Arthur Edeson, to provide the necessary shadows. 

A minor noir but nonetheless a first rate one, NOBODY LIVES FOREVER is definitely worth seeing for genre aficionados. Recommended.