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I have not been a big Mickey Rooney fan (often found his scenery chewing worse than Jerry Lewis, and not as funny), but in the noir-ish "Drive A Crooked Road (1954)," I discovered a new Rooney. I found him understated, believable, and easy to empathize with. A fine film. (Who knew?)

He made other noir style films too: "Quicksand" in 1950, and "The Strip" in 1951-- and in the latter, he even plays the drums with Jack Teagarden and Louis Armstrong!

Any fans of Quicksand or The Strip? Do they equal "Drive a Crooked Road?" They seem to be public domain films. What are the best dvd prints available?

I've not seen DRIVE A CROOKED ROAD yet, but I did see QUICKSAND several years ago - think it was in one of those PD triple-bill cheapies. Not too good a copy, but a decently entertaining thick ear if you like that sort of thing...

"Quicksand" is, in fact, one of my noir favourites. Mickey Rooney is great in this film. As Andy Hardy he became the prototype of the all-American boy, the guy next door. For that reason it is very easy to sympathize with Rooney's unfortunate car mechanic in this film. He was mostly regarded as a comedian or a show man, but I was really surprised about how well he acted in this noir.

I haven't seen THE STRIP in decades but I really liked it - Sally Forrest has always held a special place in my heart. To my knowledge, it has never been released on any form of home video. And why not? It's one of those movies I keep hoping (so far in vain) to see again some day.

There's a recent(2015) bio. out(The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney" by Richard A. Lertzman & William J. Birnes) I think it's the only book on Rooney that's come out after his death. I have it but haven't read it yet. It looks like it's well written.
Randy
PS,
He was at a Cinecon once and he repeated a story he often told how he was the inspiration for Mickey Mouse's name. By the way from all accounts, not true.

I did a book on the Mickey Rooney films that also came out after he died -- but I did interview him. Mine is a film-by-film look at his work, though, not a bio. -- Rooney hated Quicksand, but I thought it was pretty good. I agree that Drive a Crooked Road features some of his best work of that period.

Here is a link to my book:
https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Mickey ... 1442260955" target="_blank

The 2015 biography is already remaindered.
Randy

Quicksand has Rooney facing off against Peter Lorre, what's not to love?

s.w.a.c. wrote:Quicksand has Rooney facing off against Peter Lorre, what's not to love?

Midget wrestling.

Jim