Review: THE ENFORCER (1951) HUMPHREY BOGART AND THE RETURN OF DR. M.
As Holger would say, once you’ve spotted the pattern, you’re going to see Dr. Mabuse everywhere. So what is the Mabuse pattern? Seemingly unrelated crimes gradually reveal a network of criminals directed by a hidden mastermind. His voice carries the orders, technology keeps him out of sight, and his will holds the whole thing together. Add mind control, asylums and the complete submission of other people’s wills, and you know the territory. Well, how about THE ENFORCER (1951)? Honestly, I was just relaxing in my man-cave cinema after finishing MYTHOS MABUSE, looking to waste a little time with whatever film happened to come my way. Prime had nothing that interested me or that I hadn’t already seen. Netflix? Same problem. Browsing through my trusty NAS, I stumbled upon my neglected FILM NOIR folder and felt slightly guilty about having ignored those 200-plus films for so long. My first choice turned out to be an FBI publicity exercise of the worst kind. After twenty minutes, I switched ...
