Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Intro.

Like I said, May is definitely Mitchum month.  I actually saw Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison in a movie store awhile back and decided I had to see it, and to my pleasant surprise it popped up on my instant play suggestions for Netflix.  I had loved Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr together in the film The Grass is Greener, so I was excited to see this film, their first one together.

Overview

The premise is pretty straight-forward.  Robert Mitchum is the title character, Cpl. Allison, USMC.  He has been separated from his submarine and left in a lifeboat.  He lands on the beach of a deserted tropical island in the South Pacific and soon discovers the only inhabitant of the island is a nun, Sister Angela (Deborah Kerr).  She has missed the rescue ship back to Fiji and her companion, a Father, has recently died.  She and Mr. Allison take survey of the island, getting food and keeping watch - that is until the Japanese land.  They both hide in a cave in the hills, but the going is rough as they endure bombings and terrible food.  The two begin to care for one another as friends and Allison, who has never had family or loved ones, finds himself falling in love with Sister Angela.  When he discovers that she has not taken her final vows, he asks her to marry him.  She turns him down, and he gets drunk and begins to carry on about how unfair it is that they are stuck together but can't do anything. Sister Angela runs away, only to get lost and soaked in a downpour.  Allison finds her the next day, feverish and sick.  He has to steal blankets from the Japanese, but he gets her back to good health.  That isn't the end though, as the Americans land to take the island.  Allison gets caught in the fight and the result determines the fate of his relationship with Sister Angela.

Highlights

The shooting locations on Tobago are beautiful in this film.  The entire set up is very well done, and the coordination of the Japanese and American attacks are great. It does feel like a reworking of The African Queen, but there is enough difference to make you realize it is a different film with a different purpose.  I especially like how the film concluded - it doesn't cave to romantic notions and each character retains his/her integrity.

I think one of the hardest things actors have to do is break out of any sort of type-casting.  While Mitchum isn't stretched too far (he's usually the strong, tough guy) I was really surprised at his character's dimensionality - he's not the bitter, intelligent private eye, nor is he the super creepy and deeply sinister bad guy - he's the Joe next door, uneducated and unattached who nevertheless finds himself connected to a nun.  It reminded me of his role in River of No Return, where he is the strong, silent outdoors-man hiding a dark (and sometimes dangerous) nature. 

Finally, what really carries this film is the relationship between Sister Angela and Cpl. Allison.  They realize that they are alone in this crisis together - that they may face death together and even though each one is capable of survival alone, neither wants to leave the other.  They fight, they make up, they survive together.  At perhaps the most touching part of the film, Sister Angela offers to turn herself over to the Japanese in order for Cpl. Allison to have a much better chance of his own survival.  He flat out refuses, saying that if she were to do that, he'd go out of his mind and probably start flinging coconuts at the Japanese to get her back.  It's a great friendship that lasted off screen as well - according to one story, Mitchum had been nervous to work with Deborah Kerr at first, thinking that she might be as prudish as some of her characters.  On set one day, she started to swear at director John Huston, and Mitchum, in the water, began laughing so hard he nearly drowned.  After that, Mitchum and Kerr would remain life-long friends, making another three films together.   

Review

Although it does feel similar to many other island survival films, the relationship between a Marine and a nun makes this film stand out.  While not a classic like The African Queen, this film is just as enjoyable, and watching two such great screen icons together for the first time is unforgettable.  I'd definitely recommend watching.

Angel Face (1952)

Intro.

It seems as though May has turned into Mitchum Month without me knowing it.  I think it's because my new DVR lets me search listings by Actor/Actress.  As such, I was excited to see Mitchum in another suspense film - Angel Face.  Right from the beginning when he stepped out of an ambulance as a paramedic named Frank, I knew I was in for a great evening!  **Please note, there is no way I can discuss this whole film without giving away the ending, but I will put in a Spoiler Alert before then.**

Overview
As I said, the film starts with paramedic Frank (Mitchum) arriving at the Tremayne home, where the stepmother Catherine (Barbara O'Neill) has had an accidental brush with gas affixiation.  There are suspicions about the cause, but nothing very substantial.  On his way out, Mitchum bumps into the daughter, Diane (Jean Simmons) whom he tries to comfort.  She later follows him and they spend the evening together.  Diane learns that Frank is an ex-race car driver and wants to save up to open his own garage.  The next day Diane gets her stepmother to consider funding Frank's venture, even bringing Frank to the house to meet her formally.   Although Catherine wants to proceed with the garage, Diane tells Frank that she doesn't and plays up the "evil stepmother who never wants people to be happy" card.  Pretty soon Frank winds up falling for Diane and accepts her offer to join the family as their chauffeur.  All goes pretty well as we learn that Diane is 1) a huge Daddy's girl and 2) she's obsessed with convincing Frank that Catherine is trying to kill her.  And then one day we see Diane standing at the edge of the family's driveway and see that the path veers off to a sheer rocky drop.  The next thing you know, Catherine and Diane's father Charles (Herbert Marshall) get into their car and put it in drive.  However, the car instead accelerates very rapidly and zooms backwards, tumbling end over end off the cliff.  Diane, unaware that her father had also been in the car, is inside contently playing the piano.  Just when you think it's over, the film pulls a fast one - both Frank and Diane are arrested and, in a play to get sympathy from the jury, their lawyers have them get married.  Then, they face their trial....

***SPOILER ALERT***
It works too, as they are tried and found not guilty.  Frank, angry and disgusted as he knows Diane is guilty, leaves her after the trial to try and get back together with his ex-girlfriend.  The ex of course, turns him down, and Frank returns to a distraught and emotionally wrecked Diane.  He stupidly says he is leaving her and going to Mexico.  She pleads with him to stay and asks to make her case while she drives him to the airport.  He STUPIDLY gets into the car with her and what happens?  She is determined not to lose the only person she has left in her life, so she throws the car into reverse and drives it off the cliff as well, killing them both.        

Highlights

I think what is most remarkable about this film is that you don't really know how or when Diane will attack.  I thought Frank had indeed talked her out of killing her stepmother, then only a few minutes later the car goes off the cliff!  I had just gotten comfortable with a good old slow paced suspense film and then bam! double homicide!  It's shocking for both the audience and for Diane, who collapses when she discovers her father was also a victim.  Just the same, you don't really expect the ending - that is until you see Diane at the wheel.  These parts make up for some of the longer, more drawn out scenes and make for an interesting ride.

Robert Mitchum is very good in this role, although his character's seeming blindness to Diane's plans was pretty aggravating.  In retrospect, I think that it would have been too easy for him to see what was coming, as his character is not the street-wise private eye we're used to seeing.  He's the chump in many ways and no amount of screaming from the audience (believe me, I tried) will save him.  It's a different role than usual, but he plays the part with his usual charm and good looks. 

Review
Overall, despite some slow parts, I think this is a fine example of the old Hollywood suspense film.  Heavy on drama and suspicion, it brings together many good elements and fine acting talent to make it into a thoroughly enjoyable film.  I'm sorry if I've spoiled the film for some of you, and for those of you strong enough to skip the spoiler, go enjoy the surprise!

Summertime (1955)

Intro.

I love those movies that take you completely by surprise - the ones that you aren't looking for but completely delight you.  Summertime was such a film for me.  I'm not sure if it was the fact that I've been longing to go to Italy myself or the fact that lately I've been feeling exactly like Katharine Hepburn's character - waiting for life to happen.

Overview

Katharine Hepburn plays Jane, a single American woman who has saved up enough money to finally fulfill her dreams and travel to beautiful, romantic Venice.  Once there, the excitement soon turns to loneliness as she realizes that Venice is a city for couples and she is very much alone.  That doesn't last long though, as she meets handsome shopkeeper Renato (Rossano Brazzi).  He pursues her and convinces her that romance can happen and that they should embrace whatever happens.  They date, they love, they spend many nights together in the gorgeous streets and canals of Venice.  It has all the marks of a dream come true until Jane finds out that Renato is married - from there the relationship grows complicated, but Jane makes her biggest decision to allow herself to love him anyway.  It isn't really a story about the two of them as much as it is about Jane coming into her own, opening her heart and realizing that her life hasn't passed her by.

Highlights

First of all, Venice steals the show.  It was filmed on location and oh what I wouldn't give to have been a part of that crew!  All of the warmth and beauty and even the sadness of Venice comes through just in the filmography alone.  In fact, the buildings and art are treated just as well as the leading lady, and we can see Jane fall in love with the city just as we do.  The music just adds to the beauty as well.

Katharine Hepburn is amazing in this role.  She reminded me of a stronger version of her character in The Rainmaker - lonely, but trying to hide it and too afraid to love.  As Jane, she is vibrant, friendly, and outgoing, yet also reserved and reluctant.  However, in keeping with Hepburn's rebellious spirit, Jane decides against convention (and in 1950's Hollywood!) and has her full blown romance with Renato.  And full blown is right - there's even a funny scene where Venice is lit up with fireworks while Jane and Renato slip off into a bedroom - presumably for their own fireworks.  Ah, Hollywood when you still had class!  The rest of the cast is superb in this film.  Even the McIlhenneys (Jane Rose and MacDonald Park) are great "ugly American" tourists that serve to highlight how different Jane is - not to mention provide some comic relief.  And Rossano Brazzi is terrific in his role as Renato - he is both the pursuer and the pursued and takes both with a great deal of charm.  Finally, the way that all of the elements of the film come together makes it stand out - especially the gardenia and the transformation of Jane (not only in clothes, but in the way she opens up and carries herself with more confidence).

There are some great lines in this film too.  Here are a few:
"Those miracles - they can happen sometimes, but you must give them a little push to help." - hotel keeper Signora Fiorini
"The most beautiful things in life are those we do not understand." - Renato
And this dialogue: Jane: "Sing it."  Renato: "How do you know I can?"  Jane: "Because you're Italian."  (Even funnier if you know what famous Rogers & Hammerstein musical Rossano Brazzi was later in!)

Review

This film is about Venice, but also about a deep part of human nature - the desire to be loved and the fear of not being loved.  It fulfills the line of "everything happens sooner or later" but with the cold realization that when love finds you, it may be far from what you imagined.  I'd recommend this film to all hopeless romantics and even those (like me) who are a bit cynical about love but give in to a great story.

Rachel and the Stranger (1948)

Intro.

You know you are addicted to old movies when, after a very busy period that leaves no time for film-viewing, you go through a serious withdrawl.  Such is my case recently, as circumstances have kept me so busy I haven't been able to watch much of anything, let alone write a review.  So finally I got some time and decided to watch a film I'd never heard of before - it's called Rachel and the Stranger, which to me sounds like a kid's movie about the dangers of talking to strangers or perhaps a follow up to Sarah and the Squirrel.  It's far from both of these things luckily, and quite an enjoyable film.

Overview

Rachel and the Stranger is a pretty typical Western drama/comedy.  Rachel (Loretta Young) is a woman working off her father's debts as a bond servant.  Recent widower and father David (William Holden) decides that he needs a wife to care for his son Davey (Gary Gray), so he first buys her and then legally marries her, but only for convention as they will be living under the same roof.  Things get off to a rocky start as Rachel is treated more like a servant and outsider who is constantly compared against David's late-wife Sarah.  Everything changes though when David's long-time friend Jim (Robert Mitchum) - the typical free-spirit backwoodsman - comes to visit with the announcement that he's looking to finally settle down and find himself a wife.  Jim's bright spirits and good nature are a big contrast to the coldness Rachel's been getting from David, so it's only natural that she responds to Jim's growing attentions.  David begins to grow jealous and realize that he has married such a wonderful woman, not just a bond servant.  The two men come to blows when Jim suggests buying Rachel from David, and Rachel, so upset at the idea of being bartered for, ups and leaves.  It isn't safe though, as the local Indians are starting to raid nearby farms and set cabins on fire.  When their own cabin is targeted, all of the characters must come together.  And it's there under fire that true feelings finally bring a good ending to the film.

Highlights

I don't know where to start.  One of the reasons this film listing caught my eye was also one of the best parts of the film - the cast.  Holden, Young and Mitchum are great together!  Solid acting on all parts, even if it is a bit unusual to see William Holden in a Western.  Gray is also a lot of fun to watch and gets the feeling across that he misses his mother and really resents Rachel for taking her place.  I also enjoyed the initial interaction between Jim and David - Jim returns to learn of Sarah's death and in only one quick exchange we get an entire backstory between the men:  Jim loved Sarah and wanted to marry her, but as he was too wild and outgoing, she married David, a simple farmer.

The story is simple, but very well done in this film.  It did remind me of so many other films, but I think what is special about Rachel and the Stranger is that it so succinctly tells the story and each scene is very rich - there's one part where Jim and Rachel are singing and you see David in the background with Sarah's metronome, obviously still grieving.  It's so well told without too much explanation that you have to both laugh and cry at times (not to mention cheer out loud when Rachel finally gets a clean shot off with her rifle!).  I think the storytelling and cinematography reminded me of Angel and the Badman, Loretta Young's performance reminded me of her role in The Bishop's Wife, the relationship of Jim and David reminded me of Ethan and Aaron Edwards in The Searchers, and the general plot reminded me of everything from North to Alaska to The Grass is Greener and River of No Return (all of which I recommend!)**.

Finally, a few last points from my fangirl perspective.  First of all, Robert Mitchum gets to sing in this film (HOORAY!!!)  He has a great voice and he's just all around fantastic.  He is obviously enjoying his role in this film and I was delighted that he sang a few songs.  Also, William Holden is great - and shirtless in one scene (I had no idea he had so much chest hair).  I can clearly see now why so many women went crazy for him back in the day.  Finally, Loretta Young gets to kick butt with a rifle and instead of running off to civilization for help, as she rides back to the cabin under fire and starts to shoot alongside the men.  Talk about a woman turning into a strong female lead!  She does a complete 180 from the shy fragile servant and that in itself is what the film is really about.

Review

Although the storyline may be familiar, Rachel and the Stranger delivers a fine overall performance.  A wonderful cast and entertaining scenes keep the pace light and enjoyable.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a good old-fashioned Western that doesn't take itself too seriously.  

**A word of caution - of the films I listed, I would suggest reading up a bit on The Searchers before watching it for the first time.  If you watch it without any sort of reference or understanding, it comes across as a crass Western that comes dangerously close to comedy and can be very off-putting to some viewers.  There is a reason for almost everything in a Ford Western, even the humor.