Out of the Past (1947)- opinions on the ending (OPEN SPOILERS)

Cafe Society
1

This has been bothering me since I first saw this, one of the greatest B movies ever, in 1989 (not constantly- maybe once a month). What was the point in having “The Kid” tell Mitchum’s good girl girlfriend that he wasn’t really coming back for her? If he were missing, in jail, in the hospital, etc.- alive in other words- it would be one thing, to allow her to move on with her life and not try to follow him or wait for him. But with him dead, the only thing it does is make her look and feel like an idiot. Was that a 40’s type mentaility?

I know, one of the explanations why its great is becasue it “frees” her from him, but what’s the harm in her having good memories of an ex-beau who really seemed to be a good guy?

2

Anyone? No one?

3

Googled and found this analysis, which sounds plausible:

“In Bridgeport, Jeff’s mute assistant, Jimmy conveys an impression to Ann that Jeff actually loved Kathie and was going off with her. When she asks if Jeff really intended to go away with Kathie (“Was he going away with her? I have to know. Was he going away with her?”), he nods affirmatively, lying to soften the blow so that Ann can reject Jeff’s memory and free herself from him (and her past) to build a new life, possibly with patient Bridgeport admirer Jim (Richard Webb).”