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Quicksand (1950)
American film noir.
After taking 20 dollars from his employer to go on a date with plans to repay it the next day, an auto mechanic falls into increasingly disastrous circumstances for more and more money which rapidly spirals out of his control.
Quicksand was directed by Irving Pichel shortly before he was included in the Hollywood blacklist (which was instituted by the House Un-American Activities Committee to block screenwriters with suspected Communist affiliation from obtaining employment).
The film provided Rooney with an opportunity to play against type, performing in a role starkly different from his earlier role as the innocent “nice guy” in MGM’s popular Andy Hardy film series.
Most of the film was shot on location in Santa Monica, California, with exterior scenes at the old Santa Monica Pier. Jazz cornetist Red Nichols with His Five Pennies group are seen and heard in a nightclub scene.
Decades after its release, Quicksand continues to draw the attention of film historians and movie fans, especially among those with a special interest in film noir. Due in part on the film’s inherent attraction to audiences, to the appeal of being witnesses to the downward spiral of everyman Dan Brady.
Interesting Trivia
The auto dealership where Dan (Mickey Rooney) works, Mackie Motors, is a dual-brand dealership selling Mercurys and Studebakers, both of which have been discontinued since the film was made. The model Dan takes off the lot is a 1949 Mercury two-door coupe, a very popular model with the teen set in later years.
| Directed by | Irving Pichel |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Mort Briskin |
| Screenplay by | Robert Smith |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Louis Gruenberg |
| Cinematography | Lionel Lindon |
| Edited by | Walter Thompson |
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Production
company |
Samuel H. Stiefel Productions
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| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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79 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
