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• The Desperate Hours

  • Alma Veal
  • 5/16/13

  This is another gem movie that showcases both Fredric March and Bogey in later years. Very good supporting cast as well. Why we don't see this movie on TCM, and several more like this? TCM, You need a new picker!

• The Desperate Hours (1955)

  • Mr. Blandings
  • 1/3/12

  A gripping film fraught with dramatic tension. Bogart is hateful as the cold-hearted killer on the run holding a suburban family hostage while he and his cronies hide from the police. March plays it with superb realism as the desperate family man whose frustration bubbles helplessly just beneath the surface. Builds to an incredible climax.

• The Desperate Hours (1955)

  • James Higgins
  • 1/20/10

  Far far better than the remake, Humphrey Bogart heads a great cast and gives a compelling and excellent performance. Fredric March is a bit over dramatic, and that is surprising, it's not something he normally does. Very tense story, quite well written. One drawback, the little boy, Ralphie, played by Richard Eyer is so irritating and annoying, he really hurts the overall impact of the film. What a brat! So much for the theory kids raised in the 1950's were better mannered than kids today.

• William Wyler (three time Oscar winner)

  • Steve S.
  • 8/11/09

  let's ol' reliable Fredric March (two time Oscar winner) get the best of Bogie (one time Oscar winner) with quite an ensemble of supporting character's in this taunt and tense crime drama. Excellent!

• Bogey signs off

  • Dan
  • 4/1/07

  The Desparate Hours is an excellent crime drama. Humphrey Bogart goes back to his criminal type roll for his final film. This was basically his forte back in the 1930's. The one who steels the show is Fredrich March. His gritty performance outwits Bogarts character in a desparate, stylish climax to end a frightening struggle between life and death with the whole family. Paul Newman became a star on broadway as Bogarts character with a play of the same name. It was suppose to be a younger part for this film, but Humphrey couldn't pass up this part since it was alot like The Petrified Force in 1936. Seeing these two screen legends was well worth the watch... .

• Same Movie 50 Years Later

  • John Zubritsky
  • 7/31/06

  "Firewall" the recent Harrison Ford effort is simply an updated version of 1955's "The Desperate Hours". A lot of computer razzle-dazzle has been added, but the plot is basically the same--bad guys terrorize a family, but dad eventually saves them. In 1955 Frederic March showed fear and uncertainty,but in 2006 Ford faces every crisis with a scowl. His heroics at the climax are as unconvincing as his computer expertese. Also, Humphrey Bogart was believably menacing in 1955. The current villain is merely menacing.

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