Stars: Glenn Ford, Rod Taylor, Nancy Kwan, Wally Cox, Suzanne Pleschette, Mark Stevens
Best Quote: When your number's up, why fight it, right? And if its not, why worry about it?
Well-made mystery-drama that tries to find the reason for the inexplicable crash of an Airliner. Jack-the-lad Pilot Rod Taylor is seen drinking before the Flight and seems the natural suspect, but former war buddy Glenn Ford doesn't believe it. The movie is less about why did the plane crash and more about Rod Taylor's character - as Ford interviews all his old girl friends, re-visits old army buddies,and has flash-backs to the war. Everyone fits their role perfectly, especially the actresses. Including Jane Russell - playing Jane Russell - singing a song at a USO show, Kwan as the scientist girlfriend, and Dorothy Malone as the society girl**. Even Wally Cox is surprisingly effective in a dramatic role. Finally, at 104 minutes the film doesn't outstay its welcome and moves at a fast clip.
Of course there are flaws
The airplane cock-pit is surprisingly bare and fake looking. The plane crash is an obvious model, and Pleshette despite being in a deadly crash - only requires a bandage on her forehead! And - although not really a flaw - the movie has little to do with the famous book.
Glenn Ford
Ford does a surprisingly effective job with a somewhat difficult role. When Taylor is on-screen Ford supports him and throughout the rest of the film Ford is reacting and being the straight-man to the people he's interviewing. And yet he's the rock, he doesn't disappear nor does he overshadow the lesser stars. He plays it perfectly. He instantly gets you on his side, and you believe him when he thinks Taylor is innocent. He even has quiet bits of good acting. For example, when Ex-enlisted man Cox mentions that ex-officers Taylor and Ford didn't come round much, Ford by his tone of voice and body language expresses embarrassment and guilt. But then Ford was always good at playing the extra-ordinary, ordinary man. Cf: The Big Heat, Blackboard Jungle, Jubal, and Rage.
Summary: I really enjoyed this one. Fate of the Hunter is well-crafted, unpretentious entertainment. Certain scenes - like Malone's party girl scene, the flight over the Himalayas, or Jane Russell's cameo are so well done, I wanted more. But I don't want to overpraise it either. Rating ***
** I forgot to add hilarious Mary Wickes who plays a land-lady who claims "she minds her own business" while in-fact minding every else's business.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.