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In this convoluted Western mystery, "tall in the saddle" is more of a genealogical clue than an accurate index of the hero's behavior. John Wayne has come to town, so he says, to work for a local rancher--who was murdered shortly after sending for him. Prime villain would appear to be Ward Bond, exuding oiliness as the local judge, who doesn't seem to be a real judge. Paul Fix (who cowrote the screenplay) and Harry Woods supply the thuggery. But mostly it's women that Wayne has trouble with: the dead man's genteel niece (Audrey Long) and her virago of a duenna (Elisabeth Risdon), and especially Ella Raines, who dresses like a man (well, a very pretty boy), runs the neighboring ranch, and falls into instant love-hate with Wayne. (This was Raines's glory period--within a few months in 1943-44 she was breathtakingly lovely in Corvette K-225, Hail the Conquering Hero, and Phantom Lady--but alas, here she's mostly just shrill.)

As run-of-the-mill Wayne Westerns go, this RKO picture is a bit upscale from the fare at Republic, if also less robust. Edwin L. Marin's direction is undistinguished, but the RKO craftsmanship is handsome as usual, and it must have been nice to work from a coherent screenplay for a change. Gabby Hayes is around to discuss sexual politics with Duke. For some reason the veteran character actor Frank Puglia goes uncredited as Raines's enigmatic servant, who seems to have wandered in from a Val Lewton production. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Gabby Showcase
Enjoyable Western that even non-Wayne fans should find entertaining. Film blends equal parts mystery, bravado, romance, and humor in fairly smooth fashion. Mystery plot comes from actor-writer Paul Fix, comic relief from incomparable Gabby Hayes, while convincing bravado is supplied by you-know-who. Still and all, this is a Gabby Hayes showcase, and I would think a high point of his career ( he had just left the Hopalong series). In fact, the first ten minutes are among the funniest and most satisfying of any Western on record: the chemistry between Hayes and Wayne is simply terrific and easily tops that between Wayne and his two leading ladies. This is a fine "buddy" picture, even if the participants are wildly unequal in age and skills. My one complaint -- special effects and art direction. Scenic shots from Sedona, AR, simply do not blend well with pedestrian shots from the San Fernando Valley, while shoddy process photography and occasional cheapjack sets also mar final result. Apparently Wayne still did not command a class A budget. Too bad. Still and all, fans of the Duke and those of all tastes could do a lot worse.

John wayne's legacy starts to bloom
I love the chemistry between the Duke and George "Gabby" Hayes. I noticed it while watching the "B" westerns of The Duke's early movie career. Paul Fix wrote the screen play and is also credited for giving John Wayne his famous walk. In this movie, The Duke is a Man's man. He had that great charisma that is lacking in so many "stars" today. The story is simple and yet, it's a good one. the classic format of good vs. evil and no one could pull it off better than John Wayne! I also enjoyed watching Ward Bond play the corrupt judge. In my opinion; He is one of the greatest character actors in movie history. He and John wayne played so well off of each other. Even though the movie isn't considered a classic, It is well worth watching and it is also very much worth owning. Trust me; this is one for your collection!

The Perfect John Wayne Western
I love this movie, and not just because I was born in central Texas in 1941 and my older, cowgirl sister looked like Ella Raines.

Sure, some folks consider it a Gabby Hayes movie, but not me. Gabby was 56 at the time and looked about John's age, and he had more lines, but what the hey? You all can believe me, Big John was the star.

Heck, I'd never reveal the ending, so you're going to have to just go out and buy it, the perfect old/new western -- a thinker but without those songs from nowhere. Or catch it at a movie house in the nearest town to you with less than 75 inhabitants.

That's All Folks!!!

Just a Great Western
This is just a terrific RKO "A" western with an attractive cast and a well written story. It moves along nicely, is beautifully filmed, and is a lot of fun to watch. When you want to see a good old fashioned cowboy movie without the John Ford symbolism this is the one. This one is for those times when you just want to see an entertaining WESTERN!

Rocklin (John Wayne) has come to town to work for Red Cardell, only to find he has been murdered. The KC Ranch has been inherited by beautiful Audrey Long from the east. Clara Cardell (Long) is sweet and attracted to Wayne but her mother is an absolute terror and since Rocklin and his new found sidekick, freight driver Dave (Gabby Hays), both have a little "problem" with women he passes on their job offer.

He gets hired by another prominent outfit and as it turns out, this one is run by a woman as well. Ella Rains is Arly Harolday, a gorgeous spitfire and cowgirl deluxe. Sparks fly and she falls for Rocklin while he begins to dig a little deeper into the crooked goings on. Wayne has a secret not revealed until the end and it changes everthing.

Ward Bond is in this one also as Judge Garvey in this nicely directed western by Edwin L. Marin. RKO pulled out all the stops on this splendid and entertaining western. The story is great, as are the scenery and production values. Everything about this film is impressive. This one is a lot of fun. Don't miss it....

Amusing western!
Splendid B-western form the 40's with a young and charming Wayne, beautiful women, funny side-kicks and lots of action. Very entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A silly little political romp.
It manages to be highly offensive to Native Americans & women in the first few minutes. No matter, it was 1947 & nobody cared about such things.
William Powell, highly disguised, hams it up as Senator Melvin Ashton, a dim, corrupt, basically harmless politician, until he decides to run for President. He loses his highly confidential diary in which he has written down everything about everybody.
Chaos ensues in the search for the missing diary.
A gentle satire on the press, big city political machines, (they resemble nothing so much as "the mob" in this movie) & the corrupt small brained politicians with no talent we still seem to keep reelecting. A bit dated, to be sure, but still relevant & good for a laugh.

Forgotten gem
I love this movie. Powell plays a boob of a senator who wants to become president because he isn't qualified to do anything else. Among his classic lines: "If you can't beat 'em....bribe 'em!" I think one of the funnier bits is when he embarks on a coast-to-coast tour to announce that he is NOT a candidate for president. Among the tidbits is a placcard that says Sen. Ashton is "against INflation, against DEflation, but FOR flation." The politicians go into a panic when his diary, that includes all the shenanigans that have been pulled over the years, is stolen. Ella Raines is quite fetching as the reporter that tries to find the diary before the politicians get it back. I doubt there's anything in that diary that hasn't been revealed about real-life politicians in the 1990s. Parts are a bit dated (like reporter Raines going steady with the senator's campaign manager, which is a conflict that would get a reporter fired nowadays), but a lot of the digs at the political system are as true today as they were then. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Gritty realism in this film noir
Rainy streets, late nights, and a shadowy, moody aura prevails in the film noir from the 1940s. If you enjoy this genre, this film will deliver for you. Ella Raines plays a secretary from Kansas in love with her boss, a New York civil engineer, played by Alan Curtis. When he is falsely accused of murdering his wife, she sets out with determination to clear his name.

Throughout the film we are given hints as to who is the real murderer. We follow Raines as she reconstructs the activities of the fateful night and encounters characters who deny seeing a woman with Curtis. This witness could provide an alibi.

The twists and turns of the plot will keep you interested, as Raines unravels the mystery to find a happy ending. Recommended as a fine example of film noir.

A quintessential Forties film noir.
Not the best known of grim film noirs of the Forties, but one of the best. Ella Raines is very impressive as a woman who risks all to prove her employer is innocent of the murder for which he has been convicted. Her assuming of false personas (which may even briefly fool the audience) make it surprising that her performance in this film is not better known. The purely visual sexual suggestiveness in the jazz joint scene with Elisha Cook is hot stuff, and you will be amazed that Hollywood could have gotten away with it in the Forties. The excellent photography (black & white, of course) captures that grim urban atmosphere perfectly. Anyone who tries to colorize this film should be punished! The climactic revelation is highly suspenseful, and the happy ending is quite atypical of such films. Don't miss this one.

Talk About a Loyal Secretary!!
"Phantom Lady" is a solid detective/true crime movie. This reviewer hesitates to label it "noir" due to some rather strange structural attributes. The film opens as a lonely and unhappy Alan Curtis meets a lonely and unhappy woman (Ann Terry), in a bar and impulsively asks her to a play. Soon afterward, she dumps him and goes to her apartment. Curtis arrives at his own home to find the cops waiting! His wife has been strangled and he is the suspect. (Husbands always are). When Curtis cannot establish an alibi, he is quickly convicted and sent to prison. The elusive Terry becomes the "Phantom Lady". Curtis has 2 factors working for him: One is the lead detective, Thomas Gomez, who believes Curtis' story. The other is his devoted secretary Ella Raines. Here is the most loyal employee ever seen on screen! She is determined to track down witnesses, especially Terry, who can spring her boss. Viewers are perfectly aware that Raines' loyalty is well placed! They know the alibis are valid! As noted above, there are 2 main defects: One is that that the actual murderer tips his/her hand to the observant. The other is that PL was OBVIOUSLY filmed in a studio and not on a "big city" location. This greatly lessens the noir effect of night shots, dark streets, high heels on lonely sidewalks, shadows, gloomy bars and all the standard tricks of the trade. Furthermore that scene on the elevated subway platform is almost comical! Who was the director kidding? That was an insult to all the subways of the world, especially New York's. This is why this reviewer urges viewers to forget the noir aspects of PL and concentrate on the searches for the real killer and Terry. Despite the aforementioned "tipped hand", this is still a great mystery. Whodunit? Does Raines find the phantom? This reviewer does not give away endings. The curious will have to watch for themselves. Suffice to say, Raines carries PL virtually single-handed. This is her flick! PL is highly recommended to police/detective aficionados. As a treat, and a test, try to spot the cameo by the veteran actor Milburn Stone. He later played Doc in the long running "Gunsmoke" TV series. If you catch him, give yourself a gold star. And pay attention to what the ladies are wearing! Fashion matters!

"She was too spoiled and too beautiful."
"The Phantom Lady" is the mystery woman Scott Anderson (Alan Curtis) meets at a bar. The woman seems despondent and Scott persuades her to accompany him to a musical. She agrees--but only on the condition that he asks no questions and names are not exchanged.

Later that night, Anderson returns home to find his wife brutally murdered. Without an alibi--and only the untraceable mystery woman can provide that--Anderson is facing the death penalty. In a race against time, Scott's assistant, Carol "Kansas" Richman (Ella Raines) begins a little detective work of her own ....

The interesting thing about this film is that the identity of the murderer is revealed about half way through the film. This has the potential to kill suspense--however, the film remains tense and suspenseful--and this is largely due to the performance of the extremely talented Ella Raines. She stalks witnesses, and even goes undercover as a party girl (and for this role, she's almost unrecognizable). Every lead takes her to a dead end, but soon she has an ally--Inspector Burgess--the man who originally investigated the Anderson murder. "Kansas" really is a fantastic character. Her tough, disciplined, and no nonsense approach to the mystery elevates the film and results in my 5 star rating. Also noted are the performances of Estela Monteiro (Aurora Miranda) as a tempestuous singer, Cliff (Elisha Cook Jr.)--the manic, swinging drummer who knows more than he's willing to tell, and Scott Marlow (Franchot Tone) as Anderson's best friend. "Phantom Lady" is an excellent example of Film Noir--displacedhuman

Another great adaption from Woolrich
Cornell Woolrich is the unsung hero of this and many other films. His little stories bashed out at a tremendous speed simply make great films. Hitchcock used Rear Window to create one of his best films. Other directors have used his stories to great effect. The recent Original Sin is the latest in a very long and distinguished list.

With a great story line of a man sitting on death row while his friends race to find evidence of his innocence, Siodmak really produces the goods in this film. One sequence, in particular, the jazz jam session, is as close to a sex scene as film makers could go in those days. The scene alone puts this film in the master class. Great cinematography, some good acting and briliant direction add up to one of the best film noirs in circulation. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Entertaining little comedy that embraces the values of
WWII America. I see this as probably the second movie of a double feature at the local Bijou, (who remembers those days?).
Eddie Bracken plays the little guy with a big name (Woodrow LaFayette Pershing Trusmith) & a bigger legacy, that of his father who died a Marine hero. in WWI. Of course he joins the Marines but promptly washes out with severe hayfever. Too embarassed to return home he dumps his girlfriend & pretends to be overseas. He's drinking at a bar & runs into a group of real Marines just back from Guadalcanal. Despite his protests, they accompany him back home. He is mistakenly greeted as a hero home from war. Bedlam & confusion ensue as befits the screwball comedies of the day. It all has a happy ending, (required in those days). This movies satirizes the cult of celebrity & the effects of mob mentality. Woody, his girlfriend Libby played by Ella Rainer & the townsfolks are all likeable. To add a bit of patriotic flavor you have those loveable lugs of the United States Marine Corps., with anthem & everything. They are led by their gruff but loveable Sgt. played by William Demarest. Good movie for the home front during the last "good" war & amusing still today.

The Best of Sturges
I watched Sullivan's Travels and didn't understand what the big deal over Sturges was about. THIS film, however, is great! The dialogue is snappy and, most importantly, services a strong PLOT. With Travels it was the other way around.

Put this movie on DVD!!

Perhaps Sturges most neglected masterpiece
Between 1940 and 1944, Preston Sturges was on a role. He wrote and directed seven absolutely stellar comedies before he lost the magical touch that had made his one of the great comedy screenwriters of the 1930s and directors of the early 1940s. This was the last of that stellar run.

The premise is simple. Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith, magnificently portrayed by Eddie Bracken, is discharged from the marines because of hay fever, but is too ashamed to return home. Instead, he fakes a military career, having people mail home letters from abroad to make his friends and family and girlfriend all believe he is in combat. When a group of marines hear about his situation, they compassionately decide to return him to his hometown as a war hero. The bulk of the film deals with the misunderstandings that arise from this pretence.

HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO has all the marks of Sturges's best work: lightening paced dialog, a huge cast of talented character actors (most familiar from other Sturges films), and multiple layers of action in scene after scene. The ensemble cast truly excels in this film. No one, however, stands out more than William Demarest, who did almost all his greatest work in Sturges films.

For some reason, this film does not seem to be shown as often as most of Sturges best films, and even some lesser films get shown more frequently. But this is absolutely first rate Sturges, and anyone enjoying THE LADY EVE or SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS or THE PALM BEACH STORY will find just as much to love in this one.

Preston Sturges' screwball comedy about hero worship
Preston Sturges' 1944 farce "Hail the Conquering Hero" tells the story of Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith (Eddie Bracken), who is discharged from the Marines because he has Hay Fever. Ashamed to go home, Woodrow meets up with Sergeant Heppelfinger (William Demarest), a decorated Marine hero from Guadalcanal, who decide the boy should return home as a hero. Woodrow returns home where the entire town shows up to greet the "conquering hero" and end up nominating him for Mayor. Of course, Woodrow becomes more and more uncomfortable with the way things are going and feelings compelled to do the right thing.

On the one hand, because this is Preston Sturges we realize this film is a rather pointed examination of the cult of hero worship that can spring up around mere mortals. Then again, you can simply take this as a variation on the old mistaken identity routine in an above-average screwball comedy. Bracken's performance is at the heart of either interpretation and it is impossible not to feel sorry for the guy, who never really wanted to go along with this ploy in the first place. Sturges employed a host of his regulars, such as Raymond Walburn and Franklin Pangborn, but newcomer Ella Raines as Libby, the girl Woodrow left behind, really shines through (think Cathy O'Donnell in "The Best Years of Our Lives"). This is not one of the films that immediately comes to mind when you think of Preston Sturges, but he rarely disappoints you with any of his films.

A Thinking Person's Movie
Weak Eddie Bracken is mistaken for a war hero by his hometown after the Army rejects him. Directed by Preston Sturges, this film is full of wonderful and biting satire, a thinking person's movie.--Diana Dell, author, "A Saigon Party: And Other Vietnam War Short Stories." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Cameron's work on view....
During the second half of the 1940s and into the early 1950s cowboy actor Rod Cameron ranked up there with Scott, McCrea, Rogers, Elliot, and others. He was a staple "A" budget star for Republic Pictures, making a number of very entertaining oaters. RIDE THE MAN DOWN is one of his better ones, and well repays viewing. The plot is complex but handled deftly. Cameron's acting is quite good, in the tradition of the rugged cowboys of an earlier generation. Supporting roles are handled well. Don't miss this one--it'll make you wonder why more of Cameron is available.

terrific, classic, compact Western; great cast; real treat
Wonderful western. Hidden treat; especially enjoyable surprise as the film is not discussed in Western film books. Amazing the way so many characters, plot twists, romance, action, scenery, morality could be squeezed into this 1-1/2 hour color Republic "A" film. Well written, cast, photographed and directed. Your only regret will be that it is over, only 1-1/2 hours of it. Take a look at the cast! This will restore your faith in Westerns. Good pulp work. Enjoyable. Keep a paper and pencil to keep track of the characters. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Gabby Showcase
Enjoyable Western that even non-Wayne fans should find entertaining. Film blends equal parts mystery, bravado, romance, and humor in fairly smooth fashion. Mystery plot comes from actor-writer Paul Fix, comic relief from incomparable Gabby Hayes, while convincing bravado is supplied by you-know-who. Still and all, this is a Gabby Hayes showcase, and I would think a high point of his career ( he had just left the Hopalong series). In fact, the first ten minutes are among the funniest and most satisfying of any Western on record: the chemistry between Hayes and Wayne is simply terrific and easily tops that between Wayne and his two leading ladies. This is a fine "buddy" picture, even if the participants are wildly unequal in age and skills. My one complaint -- special effects and art direction. Scenic shots from Sedona, AR, simply do not blend well with pedestrian shots from the San Fernando Valley, while shoddy process photography and occasional cheapjack sets also mar final result. Apparently Wayne still did not command a class A budget. Too bad. Still and all, fans of the Duke and those of all tastes could do a lot worse.

John wayne's legacy starts to bloom
I love the chemistry between the Duke and George "Gabby" Hayes. I noticed it while watching the "B" westerns of The Duke's early movie career. Paul Fix wrote the screen play and is also credited for giving John Wayne his famous walk. In this movie, The Duke is a Man's man. He had that great charisma that is lacking in so many "stars" today. The story is simple and yet, it's a good one. the classic format of good vs. evil and no one could pull it off better than John Wayne! I also enjoyed watching Ward Bond play the corrupt judge. In my opinion; He is one of the greatest character actors in movie history. He and John wayne played so well off of each other. Even though the movie isn't considered a classic, It is well worth watching and it is also very much worth owning. Trust me; this is one for your collection!

The Perfect John Wayne Western
I love this movie, and not just because I was born in central Texas in 1941 and my older, cowgirl sister looked like Ella Raines.

Sure, some folks consider it a Gabby Hayes movie, but not me. Gabby was 56 at the time and looked about John's age, and he had more lines, but what the hey? You all can believe me, Big John was the star.

Heck, I'd never reveal the ending, so you're going to have to just go out and buy it, the perfect old/new western -- a thinker but without those songs from nowhere. Or catch it at a movie house in the nearest town to you with less than 75 inhabitants.

That's All Folks!!!

Just a Great Western
This is just a terrific RKO "A" western with an attractive cast and a well written story. It moves along nicely, is beautifully filmed, and is a lot of fun to watch. When you want to see a good old fashioned cowboy movie without the John Ford symbolism this is the one. This one is for those times when you just want to see an entertaining WESTERN!

Rocklin (John Wayne) has come to town to work for Red Cardell, only to find he has been murdered. The KC Ranch has been inherited by beautiful Audrey Long from the east. Clara Cardell (Long) is sweet and attracted to Wayne but her mother is an absolute terror and since Rocklin and his new found sidekick, freight driver Dave (Gabby Hays), both have a little "problem" with women he passes on their job offer.

He gets hired by another prominent outfit and as it turns out, this one is run by a woman as well. Ella Rains is Arly Harolday, a gorgeous spitfire and cowgirl deluxe. Sparks fly and she falls for Rocklin while he begins to dig a little deeper into the crooked goings on. Wayne has a secret not revealed until the end and it changes everthing.

Ward Bond is in this one also as Judge Garvey in this nicely directed western by Edwin L. Marin. RKO pulled out all the stops on this splendid and entertaining western. The story is great, as are the scenery and production values. Everything about this film is impressive. This one is a lot of fun. Don't miss it....

Amusing western!
Splendid B-western form the 40's with a young and charming Wayne, beautiful women, funny side-kicks and lots of action. Very entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Watch This Film And You Won't Be Sorry!
Impact has a very simple plot Walter Williams is marked for death by his cheating wife but when the plans go wrong and Williams is alive the film plays a great game of catchup! Donlevy is the star of the flick and he does more to draw you into the flick than dialogue ever could. He may not be tall but he has an imposing facing! His eyes and strong facial structure is a sight to see! I have to say that the film could have been shorter but in doing this some amazing cinematography would have been lost the image of a prisoned Willams (Donlevey) looking through a gate at his future love is amazing and the scene where his lover chases a woman who is crucial in freeing Williams of a crime through the narrow streets and shadows of chinatown is perfection. Impact may not be perfect but is is a very atmospheric and engaging ride non the least!

Starts out 40s noir, ends up 30s melodrama
Impact shows great promise in its first half, when industrialist Brian Donleavy's wife (Helen Walker -- the psychologist in Nightmare Alley) gets up to some homicidal duplicity. It's hard-core noir all the way, especially when push comes to shove on a dangerous mountain road. But then Donleavy ends up in Larkspur, Idaho, apparently suffering from amnesia, and falls for a girl mechanic. From here on in the tone grows sentimental and "women's-picture"-ish. When the climax comes, everybody seems suddenly to start behaving like imbeciles. There's enjoyable moments in Impact, but it's too compromised to be vintage noir.

Pretty entertaining
Totally implausible film noir but complex & entertaining nonetheless. Bear in mind its a Wade Williams release which ain't exactly Criterion. Picture quality is good; sound is so-so. The 4-star, rave review on the box is written by....Wade Williams. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jules Dassin's brooding, brutal drama about a prison wound to thebreaking point by a sadistic captain of the guards is a classic film noir as wellas one of the greatest prison films ever made. Burt Lancaster (in only his third film but already commanding the screen like a pro) is the savvy prison veteran whose clashes with Hume Cronyn (the ambitious guard with a god complex) land him first in solitary then in the claustrophobic drain pipe, a muddy, airless work detail that slowly kills every man assigned to it. With the help of his cellmate buddies and former gangland boss Charles Bickford he hatches a plan to break out, but Cronyn has his own plans for the unbreakable prisoner. Dassin's oppressive prison is thick with atmosphere: cavernous buildings and halls that echo with the footsteps of inmates and the clanking of bars, overcrowded cells that seem to close in on the men, a busy machine shop where the film's most memorable scene takes place--the ruthless assassination of a stoolie in a pounding metal press. Cinematographer William Daniels, a master of Hollywood's soft-focus glamour, creates a harsh, hard-edged look for the film, softened only by looming shadows. A sense of doom hovers over everything, culminating in an explosive finale, but the barbaric, brutish violence hangs in the air long after the film is over. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Intense and fraught with fear
Burt Lancaster stars in this tough, grim noir-drenched prison flick, in which a sadistic prison guard (a young Hume Cronyn) manipulates tensions and weaknesses to produce an explosive situation. The film's liberal message butts up against its obligatory "crime never pays" ending; the convicts are sympathetic, but doomed from the word "go." A little stagey and lurid, but overall tense and suspenseful -- the ending is a real nail-biter. Recommended.

A Hammer
There's a feverish undercurrent to this prison film that occasionally erupts into outright delirium ( the prison break, the interrogation scene). As delivered by Director Jules Dassin and screenwriter Richard Brooks, the film's anti-fascist message is put in your face, not in your lap. Still it's exciting stuff, except for the draggy domestic scenes that are meant to humanize the cons, but instead disrupt the film's relentless pace and super-charged atmosphere. Burt Lancaster gives a career performance, while Hume Cronyn is surprisingly effective as the sly Nazi-like warden. There are many notables in the supporting cast, especially Art Smith as the humane but feckless doctor and Sir Lancelot as his calypso assistant. I suspect there's a provocative parable lurking somewhere in the subtext, something about the inability of liberals (the old warden and the doc) to contain the brute impulse it takes to keep people in prison. This is revealed at film's end when the camera dollys back to reveal the doc behind office bars and speaking toward the camera, then we know the movie is about more than a bunch of desperate convicts breaking through prison walls. Despite its many flaws, this stark melodrama keeps coming at you with the mesmerizing force of an uplifted hammer and should not be missed.

What happened with the closed caption subtitles?
Love this movie. A brilliant film by master Dassin! But this DVD was a gift for a deaf friend! Yeah... I know... I didn't read the cover guidelines. Anyway, I think one of the best things of DVD are the multiple languages or caption subtitles. Image must do something.

A Dark Look At Prison Life
Brute Force is a surprisingly tough look at life in a prison, given the time when it was made. Burt Lancaster stars as an inmate who plans his escape to be with his critically ill girlfriend, Ann Blyth. He enlists the help of his cellmates and an older, experienced inmate, Charles Bickford. Standing in their way is a brutal, ambitious guard played very well by Hume Cronyn. There are a number of great scenes in the movie, including Cronyn's beating of an inmate to the sound of classical music, and the death in a giant press of an inmate that informed. The performances are good, the film moves at an excellent pace, and the ending surprised me somewhat, again given the time that it was made. Brute Force is a very good movie.

Raining Force!
The film opens in the pouring rain at a prison. The proceedings are advanced by an electric cast including Lancaster, Bickford, Cronin, John Hoyt, Whit Bissell, Art Smith and Howard Duff. In the finale, when Lancaster learns who the pidgeon really is...the look on his face will send chills up your spine...No dialogue is needed. Bleak and almost surreal! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The trouble with Harry
Memorable melodrama by noir-master Robert Siodmak starring George Sanders in a marvelous departure from his usual scoundrel roles. Sanders turns in an effective performance as bachelor Harry Quincy, the head designer at a local cloth manufactory, who has a claustrophobic home life with his two unmarried sisters. Playing his sisters is glamorous Geraldine Fitzgerald as Lettie, a domineering hypochondriac, and Moyna MacGill as the petulant Hester. The three share a disturbingly mutual parasitic sort of relationship with the sisters relying on Harry for financial support, and he dependent on them to take care of him--perhaps in more ways than one, since there is palpable chemistry between Harry and Lettie implying an incestuous union. Harry's chance to break away from his stifling siblings comes when he falls for colleage Deborah Brown, played by the slinky Ella Raines, but finds how difficult it is due to his own dependency and his sisters' objections--especially Lettie's increasingly devious and desperate opposition. Things get very interesting in the situation a man who's caught in an untenable circumstance and the measures one will take when feeling trapped, and looming large is how destructive dependency can be when it is allowed to reach pathological extremes and becomes an obstacle to true happiness. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Watch This Film And You Won't Be Sorry!
Impact has a very simple plot Walter Williams is marked for death by his cheating wife but when the plans go wrong and Williams is alive the film plays a great game of catchup! Donlevy is the star of the flick and he does more to draw you into the flick than dialogue ever could. He may not be tall but he has an imposing facing! His eyes and strong facial structure is a sight to see! I have to say that the film could have been shorter but in doing this some amazing cinematography would have been lost the image of a prisoned Willams (Donlevey) looking through a gate at his future love is amazing and the scene where his lover chases a woman who is crucial in freeing Williams of a crime through the narrow streets and shadows of chinatown is perfection. Impact may not be perfect but is is a very atmospheric and engaging ride non the least!

Starts out 40s noir, ends up 30s melodrama
Impact shows great promise in its first half, when industrialist Brian Donleavy's wife (Helen Walker -- the psychologist in Nightmare Alley) gets up to some homicidal duplicity. It's hard-core noir all the way, especially when push comes to shove on a dangerous mountain road. But then Donleavy ends up in Larkspur, Idaho, apparently suffering from amnesia, and falls for a girl mechanic. From here on in the tone grows sentimental and "women's-picture"-ish. When the climax comes, everybody seems suddenly to start behaving like imbeciles. There's enjoyable moments in Impact, but it's too compromised to be vintage noir.

Pretty entertaining
Totally implausible film noir but complex & entertaining nonetheless. Bear in mind its a Wade Williams release which ain't exactly Criterion. Picture quality is good; sound is so-so. The 4-star, rave review on the box is written by....Wade Williams. ... Read more