Howard Hughes didn’t actually direct this enjoyable film noir romp starring Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell though, as producer, his touch is obvious. The director credit goes to Richard Fleischer, who was brought in to re-shoot the entire film after John Farrow gave it a go. There are many flat patches in this moody caper; stock scenes that introduce us to the players who set the ball rolling, but there is love intrigue and flat out farce as well, particularly from a scene stealing Vincent Price. Mitchum plays a gambler set up to be murdered and subsequently replaced by a gangster, played by a sullen Raymond Burr, who needs a new identity. On the way he bumps into bombshell moocher, Russell, who happens to traveling his way but in hot pursuit of the millionaire movie star, Price.
Yep, the shenanigans abound. But Russell can actually sing, Price is hilarious as the thespian sharpshooter and Mitchum is as confidently cool and suave as ever. Although the film is filled with sharp dialogue, deliberate stylized photography (what’s noir without shadows on ceilings?!!) and nice ensemble play, (as Russell quips after watching Price ham it up in a film within the film) “it’s an hour and a half too long.”
by Marlin Tyree | Source: Turner Entertainment DVD
18 Jan 2007 7:09 PM | Submit Comment
