When I reviewed Kiss Me Deadly a couple weeks ago, Todd Mason mentioned Odds Against Tomorrow, a movie I hadn’t seen in three decades. I found a DVD of Odds Against Tomorrow and watched it. I also had a copy of William P. McGivern’s novel that the movie is based on so I read that, too. In the novel version, Earl Slater (a sociopath), Johnny Ingram (a gambler who owes too much money to the loan sharks), and Burke (a former cop) plan a bank job. The structure of the movie and the book differ. In the novel, the bank job takes place about mid-way through the book. In the movie, the bank job happens almost at the end of the movie. The movie’s explosive finish isn’t in the novel. The movie starred Robert Ryan as Earl, Harry Belafonte as Johnny, and Ed Begley as Burke. Director Robert Wise chose to focus on the racial tension between Earl and Johnny. The screenplay by Abraham Polonsky and Nelson Gidding scintillates! GRADE: A-
Excellent John Lewis score, as well, as I know Richard Robinson agrees…
Yes, the soundtrack was intense, Todd. Although KISS ME DEADLY and ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW both have explosive conclusions, I still prefer KISS ME DEADLY’s goofy ending.
So were they too different to even compare then?
The ending of ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW has a moral and racial dimension to it, Patti. The ending to KISS ME DEADLY is wildly bizarre.
Since Robert Ryan is my favorite noir actor I’m glad to see Odds get cited as a very good film (and novel) Here’s he at his angriest, weariest, saddest. I’d contrast KIss Me Deadly and Odds by saying that Kiss is a brutal Cold War nightmare and Odds a brutal character study, Or some such. Thanks for running this, George.
You’re welcome, Ed! I enjoyed both movies. There’s an amorality running through both movies that ties them together.
Was there also a television series based on this film, or is my memory slipping once again?
I don’t recall a TV show based on ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW, Rick. But maybe some else can enlighten us.
Oh, and Todd is correct, a fine film score, though not one to listen to if you want some relaxing background music.
The music is great in ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW, Rick. But, as you point out, it has some harsh edges.
Helluva story. Thanks for the great review.
Glad to be of service, Ron! Great story, great acting, great direction, and great soundtrack. It’s hard to find fault with ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW.
I imagine that in a story such as this, the odds against tomorrow are none too good.
Noir doesn’t get darker than ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW, Drongo.
Although vaguely aware of him before that, I only discovered Robert Ryan a few years ago, after watching the DVD of Sam Fuller’s HOUSE OF BAMBOO, which is a very good film. When Ryan is in a scene, my eye is almost hypnotically drawn to him. Such an on-screen presence.
Robert Ryan is an underrated actor, Drongo. He almost always underplays his role which has the effect of making him a compelling on-screen presence.
Actually the odds against tomorrow are Very good…the odds for tomorrow were bleak. No television series based on this (it really doesn’t lend itself to such). I’m never too worried about music being Not Soothing…
I think the explosive conclusion of ODDS would eliminate a TV series, Todd.
I’ve always admired Robert Ryan’s willingness to tackle unsympathetic roles, something very rare for a star in his era. He was always an actor first, not concerned with maintaining a star image. I recommend Franklin Jarlett’s 1990 biography which McFarland has back in print, which is good biography but also features an excellent fimography with Jarlett’s excellent analysis.
Odds Against Tomorrow is one of my favorite noir movies and I’ve given DVDs of it as gifts to movie-loving friends and its always a big hit.
ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW isn’t available in Blu-ray yet, Richard. But when it is, I’ll probably do the same thing you do: give my movie-loving friends gifts of ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW.