The Petrified Forest 1936
"AGAIN THEY TRIUMPH!...The stars of 'Human Bondage' in a picture greater than the play!"
In director Archie Mayo's gripping 1936 drama-thriller *The Petrified Forest*, an isolated Arizona diner becomes an unlikely battleground for dreams and desperation.
Director: Archie Mayo
Cast
Leslie Howard
Alan Squier
Bette Davis
Gabrielle "Gabby" Maple
Humphrey Bogart
Duke Mantee
Genevieve Tobin
Mrs. Edith Chisholm
Dick Foran
Boze Hertzlinger
Porter Hall
Jason Maple
Charley Grapewin
Gramp Maple
Paul Harvey
Mr. Chisholm
Joe Sawyer
Jackie
Eddie Acuff
Lineman
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Petrified Forest (1936) about?
Set in an isolated Arizona diner, the film follows waitress Gabby and penniless intellectual Alan as their fleeting connection is interrupted by notorious outlaw Duke Mantee's violent arrival. Trapped by the desert night, the diner's occupants must navigate fear, fate, and their own aspirations under impossible circumstances.
Who directed The Petrified Forest?
Archie Mayo directed the 1936 drama-thriller, crafting a tense atmosphere that blends romance, crime, and survival.
Who stars in The Petrified Forest?
Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, and Humphrey Bogart lead the cast, with standout performances from Genevieve Tobin and Dick Foran.
Is The Petrified Forest (1936) worth watching?
With its taut suspense, sharp performances—especially Bogart's chilling Duke Mantee—and a story that balances romance with high-stakes tension, *The Petrified Forest* remains a compelling watch. Its atmospheric tension and thematic depth earn it a spot among 1930s crime dramas worth revisiting.
How long is The Petrified Forest?
The Petrified Forest runs for 82 minutes, making it a concise yet impactful cinematic experience.
🎥 Trailer
The Petrified Forest (1936): A Desert Thriller of Dreams and Danger — Full Movie Info
In director Archie Mayo's gripping 1936 drama-thriller *The Petrified Forest*, an isolated Arizona diner becomes an unlikely battleground for dreams and desperation. Waitress Gabby longs for escape from the monotony of her desert surroundings, dreaming of art, adventure, and a life beyond the endless roads. Enter Alan, a wandering intellectual whose arrival sparks an unexpected connection, offering her a glimpse of the vibrant world she craves. But their fragile hope shatters when notorious outlaw Duke Mantee storms into the diner with his gang, turning the remote outpost into a pressure cooker of tension, fear, and unlikely alliances.
As the night wears on, the diner's patrons—each with their own struggles and secrets—are forced to confront their own limitations and the harsh realities of survival. With the desert stretching endlessly beyond the windows, *The Petrified Forest* weaves a taut, atmospheric tale of fate, chance encounters, and the thin line between freedom and entrapment. The film's stark visuals and sharp dialogue heighten the sense of claustrophobia, making every moment under Mantee's shadow feel charged with danger and possibility.
