The Petrified Forest (DVD)

A rundown diner bakes in the Arizona heat. Inside, fugitive killer Duke Mantee sweats out a manhunt, holding disillusioned writer Alan Squier, young Gabby Maple and a handful of others hostage. The Petrified Forest, Robert E. Sherwood's 1935 Broadway success about survival of the fittest, hit the screen a year later with Leslie Howard and Humphrey Bogart magnificently re-creating their stage roles and Bette Davis ably reteaming with Howard, her Of Human Bondage costar. Sherwood first wanted Bogart for a smaller role. I thought Sherwood was right, Bogart said. I couldn't picture myself playing a gangster. So what happened? I made a hit as the gangster. So right for the part was he that Howard refused to make the film without him and helped launch Bogie's brilliant movie career.

Starring: Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Genevieve Tobin, Dick Foran, Humphrey Bogart, Addison Richards, Adrian Morris, Arthur Aylesworth, Charles Grapewin, Constance Bergen, Eddie Acuff, George Guhl, Gus Leonard, Jack Cheatham, James Farley, Joe Sawyer, Nina Campana, Paul Harvey, Porter Hall, Slim Thompson

Director: Henry Blanke

Rating: NR