The Bribe, 1949, is playing on Turner Classic Movies on Wednesday, July 8 at 3:45 p.m. est. Closed captioned. The Bribe has a minimal story but great actors including Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles Laughton and Vincent Price. The chemistry between Mr. Taylor and Ms. Gardner is sizzling. They became lovers during the production and had to go to his mother’s house to make love because they would have been recognized anywhere else.
“The Bribe” is one of the forties film noir entries, and I love it! Top stars of the era include Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles Laughton, and Vincent Price. It is a story of an honest cop, Rigby played with remarkable insight, by Robert Taylor, who falls in love with a suspect (Ava Gardner), and can’t make up his mind on if she is guilty or innocent. John Hodiak is the husband, who is a former fly boy turned crook. Charles Laughton is at his sinister best as the “pie shaped man” who is hired by Vincent Price to pay off Rigby. Laughton dogs Rigby, knowing that he is in love with Gardner, till he caves in and decides to take a bribe to save his love. As in many film noir, only Taylor’s last name is used, we never know Rigby’s first name, interesting. Taylor is very convincing as a man torn between love and honor. He is so conflicted, that you feel sorry for him, wishing that Ava would just run away with him before he turns crook himself. She drugs him and makes sure he can’t stop the crooks, but he recovers, and confronts her, not realizing the trouble she is in herself. In the end, love and honor conquer all. There is a spectacular fireworks ending, that is reminiscent of “Ride the Pink Horse.” All in all the love scenes are sincere, probably because Taylor and Gardner were having an affair at the time of filming, despite the fact that Taylor was very married to Barbara Stanwyck. Quintessential film noir. Review by mamalv for IMDB.
Some behind the scenes photos:
Robert Taylor and Ava Gardner rehearsing a beach scene.
Mr. Taylor and Ms. Gardner
Mr. Taylor and Ms. Gardner with director Robert Z. Leonard.
Left to right: Mr. Taylor with Vincent Price; Charles Laughton; John Hodiak
Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor Actor 
Dear sirs: To me, Robert Taylor is the meaning of one of the best things of the movies. God bless him!.
Is there any picture of Robert Taylor with John Wayne?. I have never been able to find one.
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Dear Alvaro, I’ve never seen such a picture but I’ll keep an eye out. Are you the artist who does the wonderful drawings? Judith
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No, I am not an artist. I can’t draw anything, unfortunately. Best regards.
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Hi, Alvaro. Neither can I. But we can appreciate Mr. Taylor. Judith
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This is one of my favorites of Robert Taylor’s movies. And I loved Ava Gardner. Thank you for all you do. What an excellent blog! Have read it all as RT is my favorite actor!
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Hi, Jen. Thanks for your kind words. Mr. Taylor and Ms. Gardner had tremendous chemistry. I love the scene where she puts something in his drink and he staggers around before falling on his face. I appreciate your comment. Judith
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