the petrified forest be set in a diner in the arizona desert and and focus on the character there prior to and during the take over of the diner by a notorious killer and his gang . the film be base on a play and and it be not surprising give that all but one scene be set at the diner . bette davis give a fine performance a an idealist young waitress that be enchant by a vagabond that happen upon the diner and alan squier . my favorite performance of the film be from leslie howard a alan squier and the directionless and weary and philosophize intellectual . all of the dialogue in this film be well write and but squier line be particularly eloquent and his reference to book and historical figure be interest . humphrey bogart be also great in his breakthrough role a duke mantee and the notorious killer . mantee be gruff and controlling and at time sarcastic and but he have a slow and piercing voice and a methodical manner . the supporting performance be also of note too and particularly that of the excited grandfather often ready with invented tale . the film premise be simple and so this film rely on it characterization and dialogue to retain viewer interest . both be equal to the task and the dialogue remain engage a the character share their innermost thought and the film considers american society of the time and and especially love and self sacrifice .