House of Strangers (1949)

This film is one more sample of how easily old masters like Joseph Mankiewicz played with the themes and variations and thus exercised total control on their means and their art. This is a very interesting film-noir version of a classic - I am talking of course of King Lear. It is surprisingly refreshing to see this version of the classic theme and although the story is not perfect it is convincing.

***SPOILERS*** By far the most interesting character in the movie about a dysfunctional New York Italian family is older brother Joe Monetti played by Luther Adler who's role was later resurrected some 20 years later in the "Godfather" movies one & two as dark sheep of the Corleone family Fredo Corleone. It's Fredo as the older brother who didn't get respect and was treated like a dummy more or less like Joe was treated by his dad neighbor banker father Gino Monetti, Edward G. "Eddy" Robinson. Then there's also Richard Conte, who was also in the "Godfather", as the smart and pragmatic Max Monetti who like Al Pacino in the "Godfather" movies was the smartest of the Monetti brothers as well had an non Italian girlfriend- Like Al Pacino's Kay Adams in the "Godfather" movies- the Waspy all American girl Irene Bennett, Susan Hayworth, that he threw his Italian hand picked by the family fiancée the much younger and far more prettier Maria Domenico, Debra Paget, under the bus for.It's when Papa Monetti is indited for a number of criminal counts of illegals bank practices it' s Max who sticks his neck out to get him to beat the rap by trying to bribe a number of jurors that, by reporting him to the D.A';s office, backfires on him. Ending up saving a seven year sentence behind bars when during that time his father Gino passed away Max who swore revenge against Joe, for setting him up, is out and ready to bury the hatched with him; As well as check out to San Francisco with his girlfriend Irene. It's now Joe the former lowly $65.00 a week bank teller now bank president who's the big man of the family who still has it in for brother Max and plans to have him murdered to make sure he won't cause him any more trouble in the future.***SPOILERS****Joe uses his two other brothers pretty boy Tony, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, who while Max was behind bars married his ex fiancée Maria as well the brain damaged from taking too may shots in the head in the boxing ring Pietro, Paul Valentine, to do Max in. The final showdown has Pietro beat, under orders from Joe, the living hell out of Max but soon come to his senses. That's when he realizes that what he's doing will not only put him behind bars for life if not in the electric chair but is disrespecting his dead father Gino whom Max took the rap for! Now turning against Joe and about to drop him off a 4th floor baloney Pietro finally realizes just how wrong as well as stupid he is and forgets the whole thing! In the end a battered but still alive and breathing Max rides off into the sunrise with Irene to start a new life with her in far off San Francisco and drop out of the crazy Monetti business ventures altogether!

While this has nothing to do with the Arthur Miller play "All My Sons" that Edward G. Robinson starred in the film version of, he does play a father of four grown men whose resentment towards their father covers a variety of different reasons. Robinson is an Italian immigrant on New York's lower East Side who makes good as the founder of a bank. He runs his loan division with high interest rates and no collateral, and this makes him subject to an investigation by the Feds. Son Richard Conte, his absolute favorite, is resented by his three older brothers who feel worthless in their father's eyes. Robinsons' old school ideals don't mesh with American values, and some of his ruthless ways fall on each of them, causing impending violence between Conte and the others.This is a modern day Greek tragedy, and features interesting psychological study of each of the main characters. Susan Hayward is the top billed female as a sexy client of Conte's who ends up falling in love with her in spite of the fact that he is engaged to the pretty Diana Douglas. When the chips fall on Robinson because of his illegal banking activities, it is Conte who takes the plunge with them, and the brothers use this as an opportunity to get revenge on dad. Luther Adler, Paul Valentine and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. are the other brothers, and Esther Minciotti (the mother in "Marty") is Robinson's quiet, long-suffering wife who would rather have a simple life back in the old country rather than the rich life Robinson has given her. Right before her Oscar nominated role in "Caged", the large Hope Emerson gives a showy performance as Douglas's domineering Italian mama.The strongest performances are of course by Robinson (using a convincing Sicilian accent) and Conte. Esther Minciotti is amazing in her one strong scene where she unleashes her fury on her sons. The screenplay is powerful (later successfully re-adapted as the Western, "Broken Lance"), and Joseph L. Mankiewicz's direction is masterful. Beautifully filmed with a spooky look at the abandoned house all of the sons were raised in, "House of Strangers" is an absolute must see as a view of how power corrupts and how dynasties fall when they don't stick together.

An immigrant Italian family squabbles over its banking business in 1930s NYC. Robinson is fabulous as the patriarch of the family, who runs a shady business and alienates three of his sons by showing favoritism towards the fourth. Conte is equally good as the favorite son, a no-nonsense attorney. Hayward completes the trio of stellar performances as Conte's tough girlfriend. The script is excellent, with elements of it foreshadowing "The Godfather." Mankiewicz directs with a sure hand. The dialog is sharp and witty, particularly in rapid-fire exchanges between Conte and Hayward. The film also finds time for humor, including a hilarious steam bath scene.