Conflict (3 stars)

Conflict, from 1945, is a psychological crime drama starring Humphrey Bogart, Alexis Smith, and Sydney Greenstreet.  This little-known Bogey film, which I caught on TCM a couple years ago when Mr. Bogart was the star of the month, also has a small bit of mystery and suspense to it.

Celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary are Kathy and Richard/Dick Mason...or perhaps not celebrating is more what they are doing.

Unhappily married, the Masons had been bickering with one another only minutes before the party; also, Kathy confronted Dick (Humphrey Bogart) about her suspicions that he is in love with her sister Evelyn (Alexis Smith), a suspicion he confirmed to be true.  Though Evelyn has in no way encouraged him, Dick is sure they could be together if Kathy was out of the picture; with his passion for Evelyn in mind, he devises an elaborate scheme to get rid of his wife.

Traveling to a mountain resort---where Dick is scheduled to meet up with her later---Kathy finds herself on a lonely, desolate stretch of road, where unbeknownst to her, Dick is lying in wait for her.

After killing Kathy, Dick pushes her car off the road and into a deep ravine, where it gets buried beneath a large pile of logs.  With no remorse whatsoever, Dick goes home, sets up his alibi, and begins playing the part of the worried husband.  To nearly everyone, he appears to be anxious and distraught about his missing wife.

Soon, though, Dick is being bombarded with evidence that Kathy is still alive; in fact, he even sees her walking down the street.  When he tries to catch up with her, however, she vanishes.  Is Kathy really alive?  Or is Dick's conscience bothering him?  How it all plays out is the balance of the movie.

Conflict is an interesting, enjoyable film...and quite the change of pace from Humphrey Bogart's usual self-assured gangster roles.  I think he did a great job portraying a man who is beginning to doubt his own sanity.  He was very believable to me.  Though her character is essential to the plot, Alexis Smith didn't really have much to do here.  Nor did Sydney Greenstreet, who portrays a psychoanalyst.  From beginning to end, the film belongs to Mr. Bogart.

To my knowledge, Conflict is not out on DVD; it is, however, available on VHS.   At one point, it was on YouTube, but I think it may have been taken down, as I cannot find it there anymore.  I do hope you are able to track it down, though, as it is a very solid 3-star film, which Humphrey Bogart fans are sure to enjoy.

Happy viewing!!