When Bogart has left jail, and links up with his 'ex-cop' new-boss, he slaps him twice on the face. Was this a gesture common to the 1940's??? To me it seemed odd, and really didn't fit the film. Maybe if it was 1740. This almost made me want to rip the disc from the player and watch something else.
Excuse My Dust...
If I recall correctly, Barton MacLane had just dissed Bogie...not enough for a punch, but a slap (two?) was in order.
shareIt was the 1940's version of the 'B#tch Slap'; Bogie hated him because he was a cop, and a cop turned into a crook, and he knew the guy couldn't hit him back because the 'Big Boss' wouldn't like it if he heard about it.
Fight the FOCA
A slap (or two) can be a lot more humiliating than an all-out punch
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I watch a lot of the old 30's and 40's movies shown on TCM, and I seem to notice that slap from time to time in the films of that era. Good example: there are actually two such slaps in the Bette Davis movie "The Little Foxes," (1941) both inflicted upon the unfortunate mug of the weasel character played by Dan Duryea.
It's a rather stylized and symbolic slap, more of a put-down than a punishment: it's sort of like saying to the target of the slap that he is deserving of some sort of physical rebuke, but is not worthy of receiving it in a more manly form, such as a full-on punch to the face with a clenched fist.
Compare the slap that John Wayne inflicted upon Robert Stack in "The High and the Mighty," 91954) where it was more of a "Snap to it and come to your senses, man!" sort of message.
"I've always tried to teach you two things. First: Never let them see you bleed. Second: Always have an escape plan." — Q
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It was the original 'bitch slap'. As Sam Spade in 'The Maltese Falcon',Bogart throws out another followed by: "When you're slapped, you'll take it and like it".
Notice the guys being slapped 'took it' without a word. That was to let both parties know that it was 'settled' - 'you're the bitch, any questions ?"
I just watched it again today (before reading your comment) and have to say that I too felt uncomfortable about the way that scene 'felt'. Maybe if his head/neck snapped (or at least his hair moved) when he got smacked, it would have came off as more realistic. It kinda made Bogart look like he had 'lost it' while away in prison. The slap had virtually no effect. Maybe this was intended ? After all, Earl was a partially 'gray' gangster who has seen better days, no longer attractive to all women (Velmas rebuke), no longer as tough and intimidating as he once was (after having been away all those years) ? In any event, in that scene, if Walsh intended to make Bogart look like a tough guy, he blew it IMHO.
The slap was awesome. Cagney pulled that slap all the time. Check out "Angels With Dirty Faces". Pretty much each of the Dead End Kids gets a slap like that.
shareI didn't like it. I suspect the reason is partly/mostly because Bogart is such a tiny guy. He doesn't seem like the type who would try to dominate someone physically.
Timmie, if you don't bring that rocketship back this instant, you'll get the spanking of your life!
I didn't like it. I suspect the reason is partly/mostly because Bogart is such a tiny guy. He doesn't seem like the type who would try to dominate someone physically.