Walter Plays Prospero

The crew of an Earth starship arrives at Alair IV, to investigate a team of scientists who went there 20 years earlier to set up a colony. They've not been heard from since. Upon their arrive, the ship receives a message warning them away from the planet. They ignore the alarm, and land. They are greeted (if you can call it that) by Dr. Edward Morbius (Walter Pidgeon), the only survivor of the original colony - the others in the mission were wiped out by a mysterious force. Terrified that the carnage will begin again, Morbius advises Commander John Adams to leave the Forbidden Planet (1956). 

If you have never seen this film, you are missing one of the great science fiction films of all time. While MGM claimed there was no attempt on their part to use the plot of The Tempest  (Shakespeare Films: A Re-Evaluation of 100 Year of Adaptations by Peter E.S. Babiak) as the background to the movie, it is clearly Shakepeare's plot - the magician/scientist living on a deserted planet with his lovely and innocent only child; the helpful spirit - here a robot - who can make his own kind of magic; the interlopers who intrude on the magician's paradise; and finally, the evil presence that threatens the very existence of paradise. This was MGM's first venture into science-fiction; the film was so well-received on previews that the studio decided to release it as-is, rather than allow director and editor to iron out areas they felt were still rough (TCM article).

It's redundant to say that Walter Pidgeon is excellent as Dr. Morbius - when is he NOT excellent? Without his strong performance, this film could have deteriorated into one of the many mad scientist movies that dominated the 1950s. Walter Pidgeon gives the role gravitas.  He is genuinely concerned for the safety of the visiting space crew, but Dr. Morbius is also determined to keep this planet to himself - it has become his haven and the source of everything he needs for his work and his pleasure. On a side note, in a visit to St. Johns, Newfoundland last year, we found this tribute to the Canadian-born Mr. Pidgeon:

Anne Francis (Altaira Morbius) has long been one of my favorite actresses, primarily for her portrayal of the ace detective Honey West (a show that was canceled after one year - perhaps because it featured an independent woman who was perfectly capable of rescuing herself AND her colleague, Sam). Altaira is a very different character, but still is quite able. She designs her own clothing, runs her father's home, and has the ability to interact with the many animals on the planet. Altaira, however is naive - she is truly puzzled when Captain Adams harangues her about her clothing (it would have been nice if Adams instead berated his men for ogling the woman. Some things don't change). Ms. Francis walks a fine line in making Altaira innocent, but intelligent; she brings strength and determination to the role - as she would continue to do throughout her career.

For the many who grew up on Leslie Nielsen as a comic actor, this film provides the opportunity to see him as a leading man - with his tall good looks, he seemed destined to play the heart-throb. This was his film debut (AFI Catalog), and he is good as Adams, though the character comes off as a bit officious at times. One does think Altaira can do better for herself (once she gets to Earth).  

The character that steals the film is not, in fact, human. It's Robbie the Robot, voiced by Marvin Miller (the star of television's The Millionaire, and who also appeared in the film we recently reviewed, Deadline at Dawn (1946)), and acted by Frankie Darro. Robbie would end up having a long career - the following year, he appeared in The Invisible Boy. He moved to television, appearing in shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (though only his head), and Lost in Space. Robbie was eventually sold at auction for over $5 million. 

Several actors who made their mark on television appear to good effect in the film. Earl Holliman (Cook) provides comic relief as he convinces Robbie to make whiskey for him. This was by no means his first film, and he would appear in a number of films in the 1950s and 1960s (he is quite wonderful in Trooper Hook the year after this film). He's probably best remembered today as Angie Dickinson's partner in Police Woman. Jack Kelly (Lt. Jerry Farman) had been appearing in films since 1939, mostly in small parts. He came to the public's attention as brother Bart in Maverick. Richard Anderson (Chief Quinn) started his movie career in 1947; he worked as a reliable character actor in film and television until he achieved fame as Oscar Goldman in The Six Million Dollar Man. Finally, Warren Stevens ( Lt. "Doc" Ostrow) is probably best known for Bracken's World, but he had a long career as a guest star (often the villain!) in many television shows.

While emphasizing its appeal to children, the New York Times review by Bosley Crowther was quite enthusiastic, encouraging the children to "extend an invitation to Mom and Dad to go along". The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, and was added to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry in 2013. 

This is an essential film, especially if you are a fan of science fiction (or Shakespeare!), and we whole-hardheartedly recommend it. We'll leave you with a trailer:

Robert Meets a Shady Lady

Jeff Bailey (Robert Mitchum) owns a gas station in a small Connecticut town. He's in love with Ann Miller (Virginia Huston) and the two are discussing marriage.  But the arrival of Joe Stefanos (Paul Valentine) spells trouble for Jeff - he's been hiding out from Joe's boss, racketeer Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas). Jeff - then named Jeff Markham - worked as a private investigator for Whit, and didn't finish up the operation to Whit's satisfaction. This week, we'll be discussing Out of the Past (1947).

Often cited as the penultimate film noir, Out of the Past is an excellent, albeit dense story, but with characters that completely hold your interest throughout. Frankly, it's a film that deserves several viewings, if only to puzzle out the sometimes confusing plot. Then again, Out of the Past is not really about the plot - it's about the multiple character relationships.  

Robert Mitchum has become so linked to this part, it's mind-boggling that he was not among the first considered for the role. Both Dick Powell and Humphrey Bogart were offered the lead part (Jacques Tourner: The Cinema of Nightfall by Chris Fujiwara) and Pat O'Brien and John Garfield were also in the running. Mitchum had been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his work in The Story of G.I. Joe two years previously, but he was still being relegated to supporting roles (like The Locket) when he was cast as Jeff. He works well with all of his co-stars, though it has been said that he and Kirk Douglas did not immediately hit it off, and there was a bit of jockeying for position (TCM Behind the Camera). Ultimately, the two found common ground; their different styles of acting compliment one another. This intro and outro to the film, featuring Eddie Muller and Chris Mitchum (Robert's son) is worth a viewing for more insights into the production.The part of Kathie Moffat was originally intended for Lizabeth Scott; after she dropped out, Jane Greer (Kathie Moffat) took on the devilish dame. Ms. Greer is remarkable as a woman who goes from good girl to bad girl in the wink of an eye.  In a TCM interview, Ms. Greer discussed director Jacques Tourneur's instructions to her on getting to the heart of the character - "impassive." Though only 23 when she filmed the picture, she is marvelous - seemingly sweet an innocent, her portrayal is more a praying mantis waiting to consume her mate. She would later say that she had an excellent relationship with Robert Mitchum, who took brotherly care of her, even adjusting her dress when he realized it wasn't filming properly (TCM articles).

 

Kirk Douglas, in his third film, is an excellent choice for Whit. Though Lex Barker was in the running for the part (AFI Catalog), Douglas brings both an apparently congenial, but ultimately menacing vibe to the role.  His obvious differences from Robert Mitchum just enhance the danger in his performance - when you first meet the character, the screen hums with the tension between the two men.

Rhonda Fleming (Meta Carson) has a small but memorable part as a secretary with ulterior motives. She's quite good in a relatively small part. This was, in fact, only her fifth credited role. Sadly, the lovely Ms. Fleming died at age 97 shortly after we viewed the film. You can see the TCM tribute video to her film work here.

 

Dickie Moore (The Kid), Jeff's deaf-mute assistant in the garage also gives a convincing performance. By the end of the film, we almost feel that The Kid has, in fact, been our narrator. It is he who gives the picture its ending, and he is instrumental in aiding Jeff as his life spins out of control. 

Based on the novel Build My Gallows High by Geoffrey Homes, the New York Times review by Bosley Crowther focused on the complexities of the plot.  And there are many, but as Mr. Crowther pointed out even then, the "challenge was worth a try." Since then, it has become very highly regarded - it was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1991, and is also on Eddie Muller's list of Top 25 Noir Films 

A 1975 remake using the novel's title fell through, but the film was remade in 1983 as Against All Odds, with Jane Greer and Paul Valentine in small roles. Robert Mitchum and Ms. Greer also guested on Saturday Night Live in a 1987 skit called "Out of Gas."  

If you are a fan of film noir, this is a picture that you must see. And, for film fans in general it is still "an essential". We'll leave you with the film's trailer:

Van Investigates

The murder of police officer Ed Monigan bring his colleague Mike Conovan (Van Johnson) to the Scene of the Crime (1949). Though the papers are accusing Monigan of being on the take, Mike does not believe Monigan was murdered because he was taking bribes. The investigation, however, is disturbing Mike's wife, Gloria (Arlene Dahl) - she's terrified her husband will end up like Monigan, and is doing everything in her power to convince Mike that there are other career options than the police force.

This was Van Johnson's first appearance in a noir-ish role, and he's good as the dedicated police officer. Conovan is the main focus of the film - it's all about his relationships with his wife, his fellow officers, the son of his deceased friend, and finally the criminals he has to deal with on a daily basis. If Mr. Johnson doesn't quite give us a tortured man, he does convey the conflicts that are plaguing Mike.

The more interesting character is Lili, played by Gloria DeHaven. We found ourselves comparing her (favorably) to Jane Greer in Out of the Past. Like Kathy, Lili is a character who is not all that she appears to be on the surface. She is seemingly an innocent, tossed by circumstances into a world of danger but as the film progresses, we learn much more about her apparent innocence. Ms. DeHaven does an excellent job in making you believe in the roller coaster that is Lili. 

Arlene Dahl has a much less appealing role. Gloria spends most of the film looking upset. She does have some very good scenes (especially one at the film's end), but the focus of the part is to make Conovan doubt his ability to perform his job. Ms. Dahl was not the first choice for Gloria - Donna Reed was originally cast in the part (AFI catalog).  In what could have been a thankless role, Ms. Dahl does make the audience like and sympathize with Gloria, which is important, otherwise Mike's dilemma is pointless.

Given that this is an MGM film (an unusual venture for them to take on a noir (TCM article)), the film is gifted with a number of excellent supporting players. Tom Drake, as the straight arrow cop - nicknamed C.C., is fine as the neophyte studying under Mike. Leon Ames (surprisingly, without a mustache!) is also good in the small part of Captain A. C. Forster, Mike's understanding chief. Donald Woods makes Bob Herkimer into a quite unlikable character -  a reporter who is after the story at all costs, and doesn't let a little thing like friendship get in his way. 

Two actors, however, dominate the supporting ranks. The first is John McIntire (Fred Piper), who is excellent as the veteran who is nearing the end of his career as an officer. He brings a sturdiness to the role that demonstrate why he has been one of Mike's mentors.  

The actor who steals the show is Norman Lloyd (Sleeper). A stoolie who works for Mike, Sleeper is extremely creepy. Mr. Lloyd makes no attempts to make Sleeper in any way attractive, yet as repulsive as he is, there is a sort of sick humor that makes you keep watching. A theatre actor, who worked on Broadway, with the Civic Repertory Theatre, with the Federal Theatre Project, and with the Mercury Theatre, he came to film-going public's attention as the title character in Alfred Hitchcock's Saboteur (1941). Throughout the 1940s and early 1950s, he had steady work as a character actor in films such as Spellbound (1945 - also for Mr. Hitchcock), The Green Years (1946), and Limelight (1952). But work disappeared when he was greylisted. Alfred Hitchcock came to the rescue with the offer of work as a director and assistant producer for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, over the objections of studio executives who felt that hiring Mr. Lloyd could be dangerous (The Hollywood Reporter).  He spoke about those years at the TCM Film Festival in 214. Mr. Lloyd really came back to the public's attention as an actor when he was cast as Dr. Daniel Auschlander in the show St. Elsewhere. Mr. Lloyd is retired now - he is 106 at the writing of this post, and speaks regularly with his friend, Ben Mankiewicz.

The New York Times review  by Bosley Crowther was lukewarm, though he enjoyed the performances of Mr. Lloyd, Ms. Dahl and Ms. DeHaven. We had one complaint about the film - it really could use a better title - one that actually conveys what the story is about. Other than that, we found this an enjoyable film and one worth seeing.  In the meantime, we'll end with the film's trailer:

 

Ginger is in a Tight Spot

Sherry Conley (Ginger Rogers) has served four years in prison, when she is taken from the jail to a swanky New York City hotel by police officer Vince Striker (Brian Keith) and prison guard Willoughby (Katherine Anderson). Both are tight lipped as to the reason. However, it is clear that Sherry is in a Tight Spot (1955) when Lloyd Hallett (Edward G. Robinson) informs Sherry of the murder of her friend, Pete Tonelli (Alfred Linder). Tonelli was about to testify against gang leader Benjamin Costain (Lorne Greene), and Hallett wants Sherry to finish the job.

This is a tidy film, with a nice twist in the end that you really don't see coming. It's well cast and well-acted, with an engaging performance from a character actor - more on that later.

With a short, blonde hairstyle and severe clothing, Ginger Rogers looks much older than her 45 years. She looks hard, as her character should be, though at times she uses that baby voice that she sometimes exhibits when she wants the character to be naive or innocent.  Ms. Rogers is much too old for the role - Sherry should be hardened by prison life, but she also was supposed to have been a young girl who got caught up with a gangster. As the film opens, Sherry is by no means an innocent and while Ms. Rogers gives a decent portrayal, but this is no where near her best role.

Brian Keith is convincing as the police detective assigned to transport and protect Sherry. Mr. Keith does a good job making Vince hard-boiled, but he is equally adept at making him melt as he develops feelings for his charge.  

Brian Keith, the son of noted character actor Robert Keith, started his career in a few silent films as a small child (one featured his father), and in a bit part in Knute Rockne All American (1940). He then began a new job - four years in the Marine Corps as an air gunner. His return saw him in bit parts in a few more films, then on to Broadway, where, as Bob Keith, Jr. he appeared as part of the ensemble in the play Mister Roberts (which featured Henry Fonda in the lead - and his dad as Doc). He got roles in television episodes at this point, finally getting fourth billing in the film Arrowhead (1953). More television and several more films - including The Violent Men (1955), Nightfall (1957), and Storm Center (1957). But it was, perhaps, his role as Mitch in The Parent Trap (1961) that endeared him to a generation. It was this part that may have helped him to get the television series for which he is most remembered - Family Affair (1966). He continued to work in films and television until his death from suicide (his daughter had recently died, and he was suffering from emphysema) in 1997.

Edward G. Robinson is also good as the District Attorney who has pinned his hopes of deporting Costain on Sherry, though there is a hole in his plot line. Why, we wondered, would he approach this woman to testify against Costain, with no offer in hand? One would think that he would arrive with a promise of some reward for her danger, rather than just some lame appeal to her nobility. Mr. Robinson was at a low point in his career at this juncture. He'd been caught up in the McCarthy blacklist, and as he put it,  he "entered the 'B' picture phase of my career." (TCM article) Regardless, there is not an actor one looks forward to seeing more in a film than Mr. Robinson.

Lorne Greene is decidedly despicable as the gangland thug out to get Sherry before she can get him. Mr. Greene was two years from playing the ultimate good guy - Ben Cartwright in Bonanza. Also worthy of note is the performance of Katherine Anderson as the prison guard, Willoughby. Her's is a different kind of prison matron - she's kind and caring. Her affection for Sherry is evident from the minute we see her, and Ms. Anderson makes the character both memorable and engaging.

There is a theme that runs through the film - Sherry (who has been out of the world for four years) wants to watch television. But, every time she puts it on, all she can find is a telethon, hosted by a cowboy singer.  This was, of course, a dig at television, which had become the rival of the movie industry, and at television's penchant for telethons in the 1950s (AFI catalog). We should note that the film was set in New York City, which, in 1955 had six television stations (not two)!

The original Broadway play on which this film is based, Dead Pigeon (which featured Lloyd Bridges, Joan Lorring, and James Gregory), was inspired by Virginia Hill's testimony to the Kefauver Committee ("Gang Busters: The Kefauver Crime Committee and the Syndicate Films of the 1950s" by Ronald W. Wilson in Mob Culture: Hidden Histories of the American Gangster Film) [For more on Virginia Hill, see this bio].

New York Times review by H.H.T. (Henry Howard Thompson) called this "a pretty good little melodrama, the kind you keep rooting for..." and the book Dreams and Dead Ends: The American Gangster Film, 2nd ed. (by Jack Shadoian) says it is "a B gem that bears repeated viewings." We agree, and suggest you keep your eyes open for a it to appear on a TV set near you. In the meantime, here's a scene where Ginger Rogers talks to Brian Keith: