Ivor Barnard

Beat the Devil (1953) - 3/5

This movie is not quite funny enough to justify the detour, but if it’s your brand of comedy of course you’ll get more mileage for your money. The story is darkly whimsical, the double infidelity subplot played for a laugh rather than impact, and all the backstabbing from the protagonist crew is more of a punchline than a plot point. Unfortunately, the film’s tone never seems to understand it’s a comedy.

Closest comparison: It’s like a cross between The Holiday and Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Crime
Tone: Comedy