A dramatic story of an ex-navy pilot, on a flying mission into a hurricane, following the events that lead up to his being there.The last "A" film Veronica Lake stars in and one of her most intriguing performances.
It was difficult to obtain a copy of this film, but it was well worth it. Fans of Connie Keane, aka. Veronica Lake, know that this film marks a turning point in her career and life, and it's kind of prophetic that the film is centred around the worst storm of all - a hurricane.
The story, written by Herman Woulk, isn't that bad. It's basically centred around a love triangle between a former Naval pilot Will Slattery (Richard Widmark), his girlfriend Dolores Greaves (Veronica Lake), and the wife of an old pal still in the Navy (Linda Darnell). Widmark's character is now an inactive Naval pilot currently flying drug runs in a beautiful flying boat for a drug organisation, and Veronica's character just happens to be this conglomerate's secretary. Widmark runs into a an old fellow aviator named Lt. Hobson (Gary Merrill) who is currently flying in the Navy's Patrol Squadron 23, which flies hurricane reconnaissance for the East Coast. Lt. Hobson introduces Slattery to his new wife Aggie (Darnell), who just so happens to be an old flame that Slattery never got over.
Of course, Veronica's character has suspicions and is very hurt by all this. She turns to the illegal drugs that her employer is more than willing to supply, and her life takes a turn for the worse. Widmark's character Slattery is a guy who tends to be wrapped up in himself and what he wants, so others suffer - most notably Dolores and Lt. Hobson. The film has very good special effects for it's time and as Veronica put it "It was an interesting film if you liked flying and hurricanes." Veronica's performance is outstanding in this film. She gives a wonderful portrayal of the devoted and sensitive Dolores, who just wants Widmark's character to listen to her for a change, and even better - return her love. Her performance really touched my heart and caused Widmark's character to make me very angry at him for being so insensitive.
Veronica looks lovely sporting a bob version of her famous hairstyle, and as usual, she outclasses her co-star Darnell. Her second husband Andre De Toth directed this film and did a surprisingly fine job, probably because he wanted to abscond with all the profits. It's interesting to see the combination of Widmark and Lake as well. It's not a bad pairing, but Widmark is not even close to being an Alan Ladd. It is also worth noting that this is the first film ever shown on an aircraft during flight. It seems that the Navy was proud of the film and had it shown to 86 people aboard the 90-ton giant aircraft the Constitution on August 11, 1948 while it circled Manhattan for three hours. If, by some miracle, you can get a copy of this film I highly recommend it.
Author: Randall Dumas (Hartford, Connecticut, USA)What a great movie. If you are used to Lakes earlier, and more well known, films you'll love the change of pace. Her acting has reached a maturity by this film that allows her to give the most flawless performance yet.
Will Slattery comes over as the typical cad anti hero that Lake is often pitted against, but more unusually this movie is about the reminiscences of a person who has made mistakes that have lead himself to this particular moment. The flash back style is unconfused and simple to follow and doesn't attempt to lose the view like modern movies in this style.
I loved the early special effects of this movie and there is a degree of realism in the violent weather that keeps you on edge and feel like its really happening. There is an atmosphere and style to this movie that makes for good viewing. Lakes part is significant if very much the supporting actress.
Well worth watching.
Author: Mark R Nash (South Wales, UK)