Knock on Any Door Overview:

Knock on Any Door (1949) was a Crime - Film Noir Film directed by Nicholas Ray and produced by Robert Lord and Henry S. Kesler.

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Knock on Any Door (1949, Nicholas Ray)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Jun 11, 2016 From The Stop Button

Knock on Any Door opens with Humphrey Bogart, then heads into a lengthy flashback detailing the life of young thug John Derek. Bogart’s his attorney, defending him on a murder rap; Bogart’s opening statement leads to the flashback. It’s a lengthy flashback, introducing not just Der... Read full article


Knock on Any Door – 1949

By Bogart Fan on Dec 1, 2013 From The Bogie Film Blog

My Review —Definitely Deserves a Watch— Bogie Film Fix: out of 5 Bogies! Director: Nicholas Ray The Lowdown An attorney (Humphrey Bogart) who escaped a history of crime and poverty must defend a young hoodlum (John Derek) accused of murdering a policeman. What I Thought First of all,... Read full article


KNOCK ON ANY DOOR (1949)

By Dawn on Dec 24, 2009 From Noir and Chick Flicks

I have really enjoyed the Humphrey Bogart birthday tribute this month. I saw several "New to me movies". One movie that I really enjoyed was KNOCK ON ANY DOOR (1949)..Wonderful to see Humphrey Bogart play a lawyer instead of a guy who needs one.:) It is a crime/ noir /drama directed by Nicholas Ray.... Read full article


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Quotes from

Andrew Morton: You see... in every man's life there are pinpoints of time that govern his destiny.


Andrew Morton: I could still teach you a few, kid. You're just a tin-horned thug and you always will be. You haven't got the guts to be anything else!


Nick Romano: You want to do something for me? Remember me in your prayers.


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Facts about

Producer Mark Hellinger had owned the rights to the novel and was planning to film it when he opened his own production company in late 1947. Humphrey Bogart was to be a partner in Mark Hellinger Productions. However, Hellinger died in December 1947. It is probable that Bogart purchased the rights from Hellinger's estate some time in 1948, and this film was the first production of Bogart's independent company, Santana.
The book by Willard Motley was a best seller. It was serialized in the William Randolph Hearst newspapers and abridged versions appeared in Look Magazine and Omnibook (a Reader's Digest-type of magazine of the day).
When Humphrey Bogart was told that director Nicholas Ray wanted to film the entire 'sentencing statement for the defense' sequence in a single take, Bogart was concerned because he had never delivered such a long speech without cuts and feared he couldn't do it. Ray calmed Bogart down, suggested several rehearsals, and much to Bogart's surprise, Ray rolled during the rehearsals filming most of what has become the famous and well played sentencing sequence.
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Also directed by Nicholas Ray




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Also produced by Robert Lord




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Also released in 1949




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