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One of the first Hollywood films to deal openly with white racism toward Japanese Americans during World War II, this drama directed by 1950s action maestro John Sturges (The Great Escape) stars Spencer Tracy as a one-armed stranger named MacReedy, who arrives in the tiny town of Black Rock on a hot day in 1945. Seeking a hotel room and the whereabouts of an ethnic Japanese farmer named Komoko, MacReedy runs smack into a wall of hostility that escalates into serious threats. In time it becomes apparent that Komoko has been murdered by a local, racist chieftain, Reno Smith (Robert Ryan), who also plans on dispensing with MacReedy. Tracy's hero is forced to fight his way past Smith's goons (among them Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin) and sundry allies (Anne Francis) to keep alive, setting the stage for memorable suspense crisply orchestrated by Sturges. Casting is the film's principal strength, however: Tracy, the indispensable icon of integrity, and Ryan, the indispensable noir image of spiritual blight, are as creatively unlikely a pairing as Sturges's shotgun marriage of Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen in The Magnificent Seven. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Solid "Rock"
This is a thrilling suspense film from start to finish.Though set apparently in post World War II Arizona the film has the feel of a traditional western.One could draw parallels to another classic western, "High Noon", in that the film's protagonist MacCreedy (Spencer Tracy) is confronted with sociopathic bullies and has difficulty enlisting the aid of the few people of good will in Black Rock.Whereas "High Noon" was considered a metaphor for McCarthyism, "Bad Day at Black Rock" tackles the theme of racism, in this case the prejudice that was prevalent at the time against Americans of Japanese descent.John Sturges crafts such an effective tale that you don't feel you are being preached to.Tracy is solid as the one-armed inquisitor.The supporting cast is all first-rate with Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine, and Lee Marvin especially good as the creepy heavies.Great Technicolor and tremendous use of widescreen on display here.Andre Previn contributes an effective score.

Audio track for french language - discusting
The english audio track is good, but as far as the french track it's not worth a penny, noise on the track are so loud; My French friends we're so disappointed.
I think WB is producing full sh.. DVD and have no respect for customer. They don't do quality testing on DVD products...
It's an excellent movie, but not the right compagny to produce a DVD...

Excellent!
Spencer Tracy as the mysterious man in black. What is he doing in a small middle of nowhere desert town? It's film noir in color! It's absolutely fascinating and when it's ended, one has to see it over again because it's almost a perfect movie. There are no wasted shots. And the music score by Andre Previn is a perfect compliment to this widescreen thriller. It has Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, and Robert Ryan at their nastiest!! It's great!!

Tracy at his best
Tracy portrays a one-armed man who arrived in a small town only
to discover it is hiding things.Led by Robert Ryan he is stonewalled in discovering the truth but eventually does. This
film also features Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine in supporting
roles.This is a perfect film to watch Tracy.He appears to be
doing nothing but is absolutely wonderful.Anne Francis is very
good also.This is one of Tracy's finest efforts and the dvd
release is most welcome.

Myfavourite film
This is a really good thriller Weston.The cast is wonderful all first class performers especially Tracy and Ryan. It has been around in the pan form. It will be great in wide screen with a good sound track.I can't recommend it enough. ... Read more

Reviews (62)

A Bad Life Decision
A Place in the Sun, 1951
Running time: 120 minutes in black & white
Director: George Stephens
Studio: Paramount Studio
Actors/Actresses: Montgomery Clift (George Eastman)
Elizabeth Taylor (Angela Vickers)
Shelly Winters (Alice Tripp--name is symbolic of her behavior)
Awards/Nominations: Oscar won in 1952 for best cinematography, black & white; best costume design, black & white; best director; best film editing; best music; and best writing.
Nominated for an Oscar in 1952 for best actor and actress in a leading role and best picture.
DGA Award won in 1952 for outstanding directorial achievement in motion pictures.
Golden Globe won in 1952 for best motion picture drama.
Silver Ribbon Award won in 1952 for best director of a foreign film.
NBR Award won in 1951 for best picture.
PGA Hall of Fame for Motion Pictures Award won in 1997.
WGA Screen Award won in 1952 for best written American drama and nominated for the Robert Meltzer Award.
Genre: Romantic Tragedy

In summary, the movie includes the trials and tribulations of a love triangle between a smart nice guy, a rich nice woman, and a manipulating possessive working-class woman. George Eastman hitchhikes from Kansas City to his uncle's swimsuit factory to work. Once there, he is given a position boxing merchandise by his not-too-friendly cousin. Prior to his employment, George is informed that he is not to have romantic relations with his fellow co-workers as a condition of employment. Unfortunately, George broke this rule by dating and ultimately getting one of his coworkers pregnant. While dating her (Alice), he falls in love with Angela Vickers, a high-class woman that is well-known throughout the comunity and by Charles Eastman (George's rich uncle). Instead of telling Angela about Alice and vice versa, George "drives himself crazy" and eventually commits the ultimate crime. What may astonish the viewer is that even after learning of George's hideous crime, Angela confesses that she still loves him.

Both George and Alice would have different lives at the end of the movie if George had stayed in Kansas City! He also should have been honest with both women in order to alleviate stress for both he and Alice. This movie was given four stars due to its relativeness to society and its great plot for the time period. It was interesting throughout the whole movie.

What Chemistry
The first time I viewed A Place In The Sun it did not have much of an impact on me. Perhaps I was too young, plus I did not understand Montgomery Clift's acting style. Subsequent viewings have made me realize the quality of this film. Clift stars as the poor relation of an important family who begins to work his way up. He first has a relationship with plain working girl Shelley Winters. Then he meets the real love of his life, beautiful, wealthy Elizabeth Taylor. From that point, things become very complicated for all concerned. Clift was an actor that played everything deeply, and his performances are always painfully real, just like this one, in which you can feel the conflicts that tear him apart. Winters is excellent in her tragic role, while Taylor, besides looking unbelievably beautiful, brings a lot of honesty to her character. The chemistry between the Clift and Taylor is palpable, and their on screen kiss is one of the most memorable you will ever see. Although there is a sense of doom that permeates the movie, the actors make every moment a great one. Some of elements of the story may seem dated, but it is played with such honesty and intensity that you will appreciate it for the very fine film it is.

Heartbreaking & Realistic
Ever wanted something you couldn't have? Ever wanted it so badly you'd kill to have it? In "A Place in the Sun" George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), a poor young man with big dreams, deals with these questions as he tries to make it to the top of the social ladder in spite of social prejudices from the richer Eastman clan.
As he pursues his dream of social grandeur, he falls in love with the beautiful and unatttainable Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor), a rich socialite. But just as his dreams begin to come true, George is confronted by his ex girlfriend (Shelly Winters), a poor factory employee, who is pregnant with his baby and threatens to destroy his newly attained social lifestyle. Having made it to the top, however, George is determined to stay there at any cost - a decision that leads to tragic results.

Memorable performances
Excellent movie about the tragic consequences of pushing too hard to obtain the american dream. Montgomery Clift gives a realistic performance as the poor kid who makes it to the top at a high price. Liz Taylor is believable as the rich beauty who falls in love with Clift, and Shelly Winters is especially memorable as the poor factory worker who gets shoved aside by Clift after he meets Taylor. Beautifully made movie that makes you really get into the mind and heart of its protagonists. Highly Recommended.

Tragedy Turned to Melodrama
It was probably inevitable that "An American Tragedy," in its evolution to screen, would become more about the doomed love affair of Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor than the moral and ethical dilemmas that really form the foundation of Theodore Dreiser's novel. After all, doomed love is a bigger sell, especially when you have the romantic faces of Clift and Taylor swooning together in extreme close-up.

I'm not a fan of doing book to movie comparisons. I figure that film and literature are two different art forms, so I shouldn't compare their rendering of the story anymore than I would compare the same story as presented in a painting as opposed to a ballet. So I tried to take the film on its own merits (admittedly difficult to do, since I watched the movie on the same day I finished the book), but even at that, I think the movie falls short.

Clift plays George Eastman, poor nephew to a rich, socially elite family in a small New York state factory town. He's been invited by his uncle to come and work in the Eastman factory, giving him an entre into a world of luxury that has always been out of his grasp due to his family's humble position (they run a mission and preach on the streets). George strikes up a love affair with Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters), a girl who works with him in the factory, but his attentions for her quickly fade when he becomes interested in Angela Vickers, another member of the rich set, played by Liz Taylor. Complications ensue, and George finds himself and his situation spiralling drastically out of control, with an ending more tragic than he ever thought possible.

George Stevens directs the film with a sure hand, and there are some breathtaking displays of directorial skill. For example, one that stands out in my mind comes when the camera focuses on a radio reporting a possible murder, while the young, rich kids with whom George has struck up a friendship goof off in the water in the background. There are also some great uses of dissolve editing, though the technique is somewhat overused.

But there are many problems with the film, notably its pacing. Much time is spent on George's love triangle with Alice and Angela, while the script races through the trial and George's ultimate fate, as if the screenwriter realized he only had two hours to tell his story when he'd already wasted an hour and a half on front-end material. Rushing through the end blunts much of the story's original intent and power, as that is where the majority of moral questions arise.

Also, the character Shelley Winters plays is so drab and mousy, that one doesn't understand why George would entangle himself with her in the first place. But Clift does a great job with the lead role, delivering a performance of raw nerve.

It befuddles me somewhat as to why this movie is quite so acclaimed. I can only imagine that its reception has to do with cultural moods at the time it was released and that it just hasn't aged well. It came out in 1951, a big year for literary adaptations ("A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Death of a Salesman" were both given big-screen treatments that year), and you only need to compare "Sun" to "Streetcar" to see how short it falls at capturing the essence of a ture literary classic.

Grade: B- ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Yes, it's true: you can virtually see Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall falling for each other in this Howard Hawks variation on Casablanca but adapted from--as legend has it--Ernest Hemingway's self-declared "worst novel." (The story goes that Hawks told Hemingway he could make a movie of the author's least work, and Hemingway gave him the rights to this story.) The script by William Faulkner and Jules Furthman actually makes this one of Hawks's and Bogart's most interesting and often exciting films. Bogart plays a boat captain who reluctantly agrees to help the French Resistance while wooing chanteuse Bacall. Hoagy Carmichael, wry at the piano, adds a delicious accent to an already wonderful mood. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (53)

HEMMINGWAY'S SAGA HITS THE BIG TIME!
"To Have And Have Not" is the film credited with launching Lauren Bacall's movie career. Under a personal and exclusive contract to director, Howard Hawks - who evidently hoped for a more personal involvement with his young find - Bacall disappointed her mentor by falling for, and eventually marrying, Bogart instead. In the film she plays Marie 'Slim' Browning, a pickpocket and girl about town who crosses paths with Harry Steve Morgan (Humphrey Bogart). He's a sea captain in Martinique who is double crossed by his most frequent fishing patron, Johnson (Walter Sande). However, before Steve can collect on their debt, Johnson is accidentally killed by a stray bullet. But a financial reprieve comes by way of nightclub owner and supporter of the resistance, Frenchy (Marcel Dalio). If Steve can water taxi Frenchy's freedom-fighting friends to safety his pay off will be substantial. Like most of Warner's adventure films of the period, its not the story, so much as the atmosphere that makes up the sum of this film - though in this instance - no less than literary giant, Ernest Hemmingway, was responsible for the framework on which the film's plot is based.

Again, Warner outdoes the competition when it comes to remastering their catalogue of great films for the DVD consumer. The gray scale is outstanding and fine detail is rendered with remarkable clarity. Blacks - for the most part - are black. The stock footage - used during the fishing trip sequence - is obvious, riddled with excessive grain and slightly out of focus rear projection. However, that's to be expected. The rest, as they say, is the stuff that dreams are made of! The audio is MONO but cleaned up and very well balanced.
Warner gives us a featurette that, although short, covers a lot of ground regarding the film's production. There's also a Warner Brothers cartoon and the film's original theatrical trailer.

You can't afford to not have this
I think that the1944 classic "To Have and Have Not", which features one of Humphrey Bogart's best roles as Harry Morgan, the film debut of Lauren Bacall as "Slim" and an excellent supporting role by Walter Brennan as Eddie, Harry's drunk friend, is a great movie. The dialogue in here is sharp and witty, the most famous being said by Slim to Harry: "You know how to whistle, don't you? You just pucker your lips and blow". A personal favorite of mine is Eddie's question to about half the other characters in the film: "Was you ever stung by a dead bee?"

However, while I don't really hold it against this film, a lot of plot elements in here reminded me of "Casablanca" (And, though officially based on Hemingway's novel, some say this was actually a remake of that film). It is mostly in the plot details: Harry Morgan is a refuge from America and refuses to get involved with the work of some Free French fighters. But he eventually decides to but only for the personal needs of himself and another runaway (Slim). Harry, like Ric Blaine, also has to leave at the film's end. The locale of Martinique is a strange and exotic one, much like French Morocco. There is also a club called Hotel Martinique that reminded one a lot of Rick's Café, such as a pianist (A major difference between the two places is that Morgan doesn't own the Hotel and the pianist is caucasian)

But remakes of films are very common and this movie breaks no laws by replicating another movie. I must also say that while this movie is worth watching on video or television, the only one you need to have is the DVD, whenever that'll be released.

An H & H production
The success of this picture was apparently a little embarassing to the legendary director Howard Hawks. He and author Ernest Hemingway cooked it up during a hunting trip, according to Hawks, in trying to make a picture out of the author's novel. They ended up with a story that ends where the novel begins, and a title that has no bearing at all on the movie. Hawks refused to admit the two of them had been influenced by "Casablanca," but that's baloney, the parallels are just too strong. Nevertheless it's a fine picture, like a variation on an earlier theme of music. Bogart and Bacall have their famous meeting, some Vichy French types on Martinique take the gaff, and what is there to say about Walter Brennan, the greatest character actor in American movies? Just another day's incredible work. The real novel was later converted into "The Breaking Point" with John Garfield.

Works because of Bogie and Bacall's chemistry.
In my opinion, this movie's story is not all that interesting or original. As it's been said many times, To Have and Have Not is essentially Casablanca's twin sister, and bares almost no resemblance to the Ernest Hemingway novella. But despite it all, I must say that I prefer this movie as opposed to the other.

What makes this movie so good are three things: the writing, the acting, and the real-life chemistry between the supercouple of the time, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The screenplay has perhaps some of the most clever and memorable one-liners in movie history. In fact, this is the movie that produced the now-cliche saying "You do know how to whistle, don't you...just put your lips together, and blow," as well as the lesser-known but sure-to-bring-chills "It's even better when you help," sdaid after Bacall kisses Bogart. The acting is extremely good, especially since both the leads can be very cold and distant one moment, and very warm and sweet the next. Finally, as this movie will always be remembered for, Bogart and Bacall are clearly falling in love as the story is going, a case of art imitating life. The sexual tension in the beginning can be cut with a knife, while the true love in the middle and end is nothing short of romantic and touching.

To Have and Have Not is a quintissential example of the stars making a subpar story into one of the most romantic films of the era. This is the perfect start in exploring the world of Bogart and Bacall, and perhaps the best of their four films.

The first meeting of this immortal couple
Bogart in his well known of anti hero owner-operator of charter boat in wartime Martinique.
The essential inner values about the freedom however don't tie Bogart with anyone except for himself. The overwhelming presence of Lauren Bacall makes this film a winner match between the growing attraction she awakes in our no land anti hero and the fight against the enemies forces.
This is not precisely a film noir due the happy ending. But the script is dazzling with the Hawks's camera flowing through the viewer.
And instead the fact we are talking about a sixty years movie , this one hasn't got old.
Watch this legendary picture. One of the best works in that year. ... Read more

Description

Recognizing that wealthy cattle rancher Craig Belden's son, Rick, is one of his wife's killers, Morgan travels to Gun Hill to arrest him.Belden refuses to hand his son over, and Morgan is determined to capture Rick and take him away by the 9:00 train but he is trapped in the town alone, with Belden and all his men now looking to kill him. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Last train from gun hill
The movie is wonderful but in my opinion the quality made by STARMAKER is really bad. I purchased 3 movies titled The last train from gun hill by Starmaker hoping to get a good one and the quality ranges from bad to worse.

One of the best westerns of all time!!!
This film is extremely exciting and full of many "murderous" problems, such as the evil person at the beginning that murdered that poor young and beautiful Indian woman!!{I do not agree with that old reviewer that gave this movie only two stars}. I saw this movie for the first time on AMC. I made an attempt to tape it on the VCR that I had at my house, but failed, although I wanted the movie so badly, I really would hunt for it after that miserable failure!!! Several months later, I found it in the newspaper and knew they were planning to show it again, finally!! I set everything up, this time correctly, and found it at the back of the 8 hour tape that I had used to tape it with on "American Movie Classics". But, two months later, I taped it AGAIN, this time without all the other movies that I had on the other taping tape!! So, this movie is about Kirk Douglas chasing down the Belden family for the murder of his wife!!! And without further ado, I am calling this one of the best westerns of all time!!Also recommended: The Bravados, True Grit, The Sons Of Katie Elder, and River Of No Return...

You can't be serious?
This has got to be the WORST attempt at masquerading as a western I have ever seen, and I've seen some bad westerns. This one is inching pretty close to Billy the Kid Meets Dracula for just pure bad acting. Great story-pitiful script. You want spoilers...OK. Well, Kirk Douglas plays a Sheriff whose wife was just raped and murdered. The clue to the identity of the killer comes from a saddle he recovers while in pursuit. Oh yeah, he knows who the owner is right off cause it belongs to his best friend from the good old days, one Anthony Quinn-who is more comfortable playing Greek fishermen and Mexican banditos. Not much intrigue here folks. Anyway, ole Kirk just saunters into Anthony Quinn's ranch (aka. Saddle Owner) just grinnin' and yucking it up like old times. I suppose that's where this thing lost me.

There was a reason I'd never heard of this turkey and missed this for the last 40 years. Just pathetic. 2 spurs

I am taping this movie on AMC on October 25th! I cant wait!
I am making an attempt to tape this film on October 25th! I do not know how much longer I can wait to get this out-of-print masterpiece on tape! I just hope the TV Magazine is correct in saying that it comes on at seven thirty AM! Please do not let me down, magazine! Ok now, enough with that! This movie is about a man who is tracking down the criminal that murdered his wife. But the owner of the town, Craig Beldan, is covering up for his son that commited the murder! I do not want to tell you the climax, you will love it!! Recommended!!

I am taping this movie on AMC on October 25th! I cant wait!
...This movie is about a man who is tracking down the criminal that murdered his wife.But the owner of the town,Craig Beldan,is covering up for...I do not want to tell you the climax,you will love it!! Recommended!! ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Reel History: Johnny Tremain
Nostalgia compelled me to rent Disney's 1957 adaptation of Johnny Tremain. I remember seeing the film in grade school and indeed, some of the visuals from those early screenings left an imprint on my mind whenever I heard the terms "colonial life" and "Revolutionary War." Part of that, I think, is because Johnny Tremain (the movie, not the book) makes the era (1773-1775) seem like a great place for a 10-year old boy to seek adventure and take potshots at the villainous Redcoats. It's a glossed over (some would say "dumbed down) version of Esther Forbe's classic book, and unfortunately, the film, and not the book, is often what many educators choose to incorporate as part of their curriculum when teaching students about the origins of the Revolutonary War.
Aside from that, the film is classic in the Disney sense. Ever notice how 1950s and 60s Disney movies have a distinctive "look" all their own? As a "History Lite" lesson, I suppose the film works on some level. Most of the actors are fine, and some of the set pieces are also nice. The Lexington sequence near the end of the film is probably where young people will begin to pay more attention. Teachers for 6th grade and up might do well to consider Esther Forbe's book over the film, or perhaps "April Morning" by Howard Fast. PS - It's interesting to look at Johnny Tremain and consider that it was made in 1957 with the Cold War in full swing. The Cold War is something that most kids today cannot fully relate to. In the 1950s, Disney no doubt had the current political climate in mind when Johnny Tremain was produced. Youth, freedom, political principles and ideology are recurrent themes throughout the film, and the Revolution serves as a metaphor, ever so subtle, for the struggle against the Reds as well as the Redcoats.

An enjoyable Disney rendition of the cause of the Revolution
This is an enjoyable Disney rendition of the causes of the American Resolution. No, it may not be faithful to the novel, and some of the historical events may not ring true to how they actually happened, however I am sure Disney did not intend them to be. This movie was made in 1957, the same time frame that Davey Crockett played by Fess Parker was made, America was caught up in patriotic fever and Disney was more than happy to serve this up to the viewing public. I did enjoy this movie, and the overall theme it was trying to portray, such as freedom from tyranny, the rights of every man from the wealthy to the silversmiths apprentice. This may not be a movie to analyze the Revolutionary War with, however it is a great starting point to discuss the Revolution with young ones, and those who do not know very much about the American Revolution. An enjoyable film that is recommended to those who like Disney and "light history".

Very Good Movie!!!!
This movie was different than the book for sure, but it was very good. My sister and I bought this movie and we were very satisfied. Excellent casts, great history. This movie deserves five stars, but don't expect it to be like the book.

Weak link
the movie stunk. First of all the movie had all the details mixed up and how could u not have the Famous John hancock or laviinia Lye as a character.In stead of Dove there id some guy named caleb. talk ABout disney making movies they cant meake anything true. i REGRET I BOUGHT IT. 50% OF THE MOVIE WAS ALL mixed up stuff, totaly differnt from the book and the other 30% was bad quality effects even for an old video released.

not good...for shame*tisk**tisk*
I wasn't even a fan of the book, but I know that this movie is terrible. This movie has no elements from the book and this movie hardly deserves a star
My I.Q. (117) plummeted to room temperature....*tisk* ... Read more

Amazon.com

Burt Lancaster was cock of the walk in 1954. The Lancaster-starred From Here to Eternity had just swept the Oscars®, his personal production company Hecht-Lancaster could do no wrong, and he had marquee magic in two back-to-back Westerns directed by Robert Aldrich, Vera Cruz and this one. There are moments in his performance as Massai, the Apache warrior who wouldn't surrender with Geronimo, that seem choreographed to express the actor's exultation. Massai has hard going all the way--starting with having to recross half the continent on foot after escaping from a prison train bound for Florida--but Lancaster the ex-circus athlete who insisted on doing his own stunts fairly sings with the ecstasy of movement as he scampers over rocks, rolls unscathed between the wheels of racing wagons, and generally makes the screen look like his private gym.

Apache wasn't the first Western to sympathize with Native Americans done wrong, but it's among the liveliest--although, ironically, it was destined to be outshone in power and complexity by Aldrich and Lancaster's masterpiece Ulzana's Raid nearly two decades later. Typically of its time, Apache features non-Indians in all the Indian roles, including Jean Peters as Massai's beloved Nalinle and Charles Buchinsky (later Bronson) as her other suitor, Hondo, one of the tribesmen who has donned U.S. Cavalry blue. John McIntire contributes his crusty moral authority as Al Sieber, the real-life scout who helped defeat Geronimo and then Massai, and respected both. John Dehner is, as usual, a real bastard. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Despite its faults it's a good flick
"Both Burt Lancaster and Jean Peters give outstanding performances" - wrote Variety in 1954 - and after watching this movie for the umpteenth time I believe they do deliver great performances in APACHE. It was the first one made by Holywood that dared to portray a movie from the Indian's point of view; and that alone deserves some credit.
A bit of TRIVIA
Jean Peters's performance in Apache, according to director Robert Aldrich, is even more outstanding because she had a personal dislike of Lancaster as a person and had to show complete devotion towards him throughout the entire film. Despite this fact, the two actors had some sort of chemestry in their scenes together that comes accross on the screen.
On top of that, both these actors were made up to look their worst in rags and to somehow look Indian - to no avail. Peters is still a gorgeous all-American girl and Lancaster the handsome all-American hero. However, if you forget about their looks (hard as it may be) this movie is very well done. It is masterfully directed, well acted, superbly edited and has a great storyline - even though the ending was changed by United Artists before it was released and Massai (Lancaster) was allowed to live and see his new born child (contrary to the novel's ending where Massai is killed by the US cavalry). But then it was 1954!
Anyone who likes westerns, should see this film.

Decent western
Apache is a good western that tries to show Native Americans in a positive way, something most westerns did not even attempt to do. The movie tells the story of Massai, an Apache warrior who refuses to surrender alongside Geronimo and his other warriors. He escapes the grasp of the U.S. Army several times and begins to wage a one-man war on them. Massai begins to cut telegraph lines, burn bridges, and even attacks a fort single-handedly in the night. All through his war, the army sends a scout and several Indians who now work for the army after him to bring him in so he does not start a another war. It is good to see Native Americans portrayed as human beings but something is missing in the movie.

Burt Lancaster is pretty good as Massai, the Apache warrior who refuses to surrender. The movie makes no attempt to make him seem like an Apache other than what he looks like. There are plenty of acrobatic stunts performed that do look very good. Jean Peters plays his wife even though for much of the movie, he either ignores her or mistreats her. John McIntire is very good as the scout sent to track Massai down. He plays the role well and is good at showing that he actually respects the man he is hunting. Charles Bronson plays Hondo, an Apache now working for the army and potential suitor of Massai's wife. The DVD is okay. It offers a trailer and full screen format which looks okay. This is a good western, but I recommend renting it before you go out and buy it.

Enchanted!
That was the movie that made me fall in love with westerns!

A True Story, MGM style
When Hecht-Lancaster chose this project, they were venturing out from the Hollywood norm, which was just their style. Believe it or not, the story is about a true renegade, Masai (or Ma-si) of the Chiricahua Apache. His initial capture, escape from the train, and 1500 mile journey back to his homeland are all historically correct. Some accounts even say he had blue eyes-certainly a stretch, but with Cochise a generation before raiding Arizona and often taking white captives, some genetic possibilities occur. Like the movie, he eventually leaves his own people, fearing they might turn him back over to the whites, and lives a primitive, violent lifestyle. Even his death in a cornfield is one of the stories of his enigmatic demise. Lancaster intended the film to end with Massai being killed, but MGM had money in this and demanded the "cornier" (forgive me) ending. The movie was released into theaters shortly after the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling and was viewed as being highly topical in exploring the mistreatment of minorities.

Has there ever been a truly representative Native American movie? I don't know. But this movie has a good heart, so forgive its small sins.

When does Hollywood follow reality anyways. I liked it.
I thought the movie had a good meaning behind it despite the descripancies concerning reality. Besides, Lancaster always looked good during his prime. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The only time I draw is when I'm crowded
I've been avoiding Audie Murphy for years, copping the attitude Howard Cosell had for the Frank Giffords of the world. Cosell devoted a good portion of at least one book attacking "jockocracy," the invasion of the professional broadcasting booth by unqualified ex-jocks. Audie Murphy was a war hero but the bits and clips I've seen of his work always made it look like he was in over his head. Murphy's appearance in a movie meant one unemployed real actor.
So I was a little trepidatious when I hit the play button on DUEL AT SILVER CREEK. I hung with it through the slow opening exposition scenes (a pod of claim jumpers are terrorizing silver miners, forcing them to sign over their deeds and then shooting them.) By the time Murphy's pa was kilt and he morphed into the poker playing Silver Kid I was hooked. DUEL AT SILVER CREEK is a fun little flick.
Look, this movie made me laugh at things decent folks don't laugh at, but I believe these elements were put in deliberately. This is director Don Siegel's first western and his first Technicolor production. He would go on to work with the likes of Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry) and John Wayne (The Shootist.) Siegel knew what he was doing.
One of the humorous elements, to me at least, was the proliferation of nicknames. Murphy's Luke Cromwell is the "Silver Kid," or just "Kid." Sheriff Stephen McNally is "Lightning," there's a character called "Rat Face." Lee Marvin plays a heavy nicked "Tinhorn." The lovely Faith Domergue (Opal Lacy) is nicked "Brown Eyes" early on by "Lightning."
Then there's mondo-heavy Eugene Iglesias, who plays Johnny Sombrero. I honestly couldn't refrain from laughing every time he was on screen. Dressed in red and white striped pants and wearing an impossibly large sombrero pushed back off his head he was a caricature of... something. How can a guy in candy stripe pants and a balloon hat intimidate?
Wisely the film-makers don't overload Murphy in this one. Although he's the nominal star, McNally does most of the heavy lifting. Murphy is along more as a wise-cracking (!?) sidekick. My uninformed take on Murphy was that he was a Roy Rogers/Gene Autry type. Squeaky clean, you know. Siegel gives the Silver Kid an edge, and to Murphy credit that edge remains sharp. Still and all it was a bit of a surprise to see Lightning and The Kid interrogating Brown Eyes and hearing The Kid impulsively say "I bet I can get it out of her." Heeheehee. I was half expecting The Kid to call her a punk and ask her if she was feeling lucky.
DUEL AT SILVER CREEK is a dandy little horse opera. It will satisfy without offense those who love traditional westerns, and sate those with less conventional tastes.

Overlooked but very good....
I had forgotten just how enjoyable this little Audie Murphy Western was until I recently purchased this handsome Universal DVD release. Murphy in this venture is "the silver kid," and his co-star Stephen McNally actually steals the show. The action is fast-paced and believable, the plot way above average. There are shoot outs, claim jumping, and some humor thrown in--Audie has some droll lines. Universal-International made a number of fine Murphy Westerns in the 1950s into the mid 1960s. DUEL AT SILVER CREEK is one of the better ones. Now let's hope that Murphy's finest outing in the genre, NO NAME ON THE BULLET, and some of his other, better films---RIDE CLEAR OF DIABLO, GUNSMOKE, SEVEN WAYS FROM SUNDOWN, TUMBLEWEEDS, get the nod from the engineers at Universal. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Neglected Masterpiece!
I first saw this film on the late show back in the 50's when I was a mere child. It scared the pants off me then, and pretty much does the same now. This is what I call staying power. Too bad more people aren't aware of this film. The sad thing about the presentation of this film (I have both the VHS & DVD) is that the sound recording needs definite restorative work. This would really be disturbing if the film itself wasn't so compelling. The production values as well as the production team are all A-List, from the fine direction of Delmer Daves to the outstanding mood-setting score of Max Steiner to the casting of pro stars like Edward G. Robinson & Judith Anderson sharing the screen with teen magazine heart-throbs Rory Calhoun and Julie London. Lon McCallister is fine in what is really the lead role, and a very fine performance by young Allene Roberts (whatever happened to her!). The DVD is pretty much of the bargain-bin variety, though there are a couple of little extras on it...most notably explaining that Robinson's career came to a standstill after this film because of the Hollywood blacklist. The suspense factor is among the highest I can recall (EVER!); the script is literate and clever; characters are well-defined; and the creepy mood is consistant. See this film and tell all your friends; you will NOT be disappointed.

Worth seeing for all kinds of reasons.
Ooh, fun! Like film noir? Don't miss this, if only because of Edward G., and just so you can say you saw it. If Disney couyld make a good film noir back in the 40's, this might have been it. And that's a compliment. Hitchcock wouldn't have done this:L it's too moody and down-home. It's different. Ma and Pa Kettle quit foolin' around, lose a few years, and go out to find a few corpses.

1. See if you can guess my favorite shot ( with Aileen Roberts, alone)

2. See Judith Anderson in something besides REBECCA: "Every living soul has their Oxhead Woods..."

3. See Edward G. in a lesser known film, and still doing an excellent job ("...it can still be you and me, Jeannie...")

4. See Julie London. Sassy and delinquent here: "A fine swimming date we had, I don't think!" "I'm not gonna give you any kisses...I want you to miss 'em..." Gorgeous and talented, you could also sense the Hollywood ambition exuding from her during this film...no?

5. Rory Calhoun. A good job. Not given TOO much to do here except drink, hunt, beat up Lon McAllister and grab Julie London, he does it well: "Because it'll be a prettier bond if you buy it for me..."

If this is a piece of American candy, it's still a good piece--and more complex than you'd expect. (Probably moreso than I am capable of revealing here.)

Don't just leave it for the kids. In fact, it may scare the hell out of them. Ultimately, I believe there are aspects of this film that are of more than average, 'happy-day' depth.

Buy it. A true noir fan, you'll watch it more than once.

Should be restored but...
This review refers to the Alpha Video (Gotham) DVD.

Overall Quality of DVD: ** /**** Sound: *1/2 /**** Plot: *** /**** Acting: ***/**** Cinematography: ***/**** Direction: **1/2 /****

This is not a great film but very eerie, strange, nearly on par with something like "Carnival Of Souls" or "Incubus".

Rory Calhoun and Lon McCallister are solid in their roles. Arlene Roberts is good but does not come close to the sexiness of Julie London. Edward G. Robinson creates the mystery and suspense while his sister (in the film), Judith Anderson (Mrs. Danvers in "REBECCA") enhances and intensifies Robinson's esoteric character.

Granted, the film transfer is quite soft and glowing and the sound hisses throughout, however, it is still quite interesting to view and, due to the digital transfer process, the sound is stabilized.

Until/if a restoration is ever available this is the best we'll see but, in my opinion, is worth the low asking price - if you are expecting the quality of a Criterion Collection DVD you will be disappointed.

Brilliant Offbeat Daves Film, Horrible Print for DVD
As with many of Delmer Daves' films, The Red House shows originality, flair, and an intense weaving of landscape, theme, and character (rare among American directors working in the studios). He consistently achieves moments of great subtlety. In addition, Lon McCallister and Allene Roberts deliver striking performances under Daves' sensitive direction. It's no surprise that Scorcese noted this film in his "Personal Journey Through American Movies". Unfortunately, the print of the film used for the DVD is HORRIBLE -- there have to be better prints out there of this film!

A Long Lost Classic!!
Edward G. Robinson is fantastic as the man with the dark secret, in this excellent thriller! I bought it expecting to be either bored or amused. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised! The Red House is actually pretty creepy. Robinson plays a farmer who is not what he appears to be. There's a red house in the woods where something terrible happened many years earlier. His daughter (Arlene Roberts), and his sister (the magnificent Judith "Mrs. Danvers" Anderson) live with him. A boy comes to help out on the farm and the web of mystery slowly unravels. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves thrillers, chillers, or just plain good movies... ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Neglected Masterpiece!
I first saw this film on the late show back in the 50's when I was a mere child. It scared the pants off me then, and pretty much does the same now. This is what I call staying power. Too bad more people aren't aware of this film. The sad thing about the presentation of this film (I have both the VHS & DVD) is that the sound recording needs definite restorative work. This would really be disturbing if the film itself wasn't so compelling. The production values as well as the production team are all A-List, from the fine direction of Delmer Daves to the outstanding mood-setting score of Max Steiner to the casting of pro stars like Edward G. Robinson & Judith Anderson sharing the screen with teen magazine heart-throbs Rory Calhoun and Julie London. Lon McCallister is fine in what is really the lead role, and a very fine performance by young Allene Roberts (whatever happened to her!). The DVD is pretty much of the bargain-bin variety, though there are a couple of little extras on it...most notably explaining that Robinson's career came to a standstill after this film because of the Hollywood blacklist. The suspense factor is among the highest I can recall (EVER!); the script is literate and clever; characters are well-defined; and the creepy mood is consistant. See this film and tell all your friends; you will NOT be disappointed.

Worth seeing for all kinds of reasons.
Ooh, fun! Like film noir? Don't miss this, if only because of Edward G., and just so you can say you saw it. If Disney couyld make a good film noir back in the 40's, this might have been it. And that's a compliment. Hitchcock wouldn't have done this:L it's too moody and down-home. It's different. Ma and Pa Kettle quit foolin' around, lose a few years, and go out to find a few corpses.

1. See if you can guess my favorite shot ( with Aileen Roberts, alone)

2. See Judith Anderson in something besides REBECCA: "Every living soul has their Oxhead Woods..."

3. See Edward G. in a lesser known film, and still doing an excellent job ("...it can still be you and me, Jeannie...")

4. See Julie London. Sassy and delinquent here: "A fine swimming date we had, I don't think!" "I'm not gonna give you any kisses...I want you to miss 'em..." Gorgeous and talented, you could also sense the Hollywood ambition exuding from her during this film...no?

5. Rory Calhoun. A good job. Not given TOO much to do here except drink, hunt, beat up Lon McAllister and grab Julie London, he does it well: "Because it'll be a prettier bond if you buy it for me..."

If this is a piece of American candy, it's still a good piece--and more complex than you'd expect. (Probably moreso than I am capable of revealing here.)

Don't just leave it for the kids. In fact, it may scare the hell out of them. Ultimately, I believe there are aspects of this film that are of more than average, 'happy-day' depth.

Buy it. A true noir fan, you'll watch it more than once.

Should be restored but...
This review refers to the Alpha Video (Gotham) DVD.

Overall Quality of DVD: ** /**** Sound: *1/2 /**** Plot: *** /**** Acting: ***/**** Cinematography: ***/**** Direction: **1/2 /****

This is not a great film but very eerie, strange, nearly on par with something like "Carnival Of Souls" or "Incubus".

Rory Calhoun and Lon McCallister are solid in their roles. Arlene Roberts is good but does not come close to the sexiness of Julie London. Edward G. Robinson creates the mystery and suspense while his sister (in the film), Judith Anderson (Mrs. Danvers in "REBECCA") enhances and intensifies Robinson's esoteric character.

Granted, the film transfer is quite soft and glowing and the sound hisses throughout, however, it is still quite interesting to view and, due to the digital transfer process, the sound is stabilized.

Until/if a restoration is ever available this is the best we'll see but, in my opinion, is worth the low asking price - if you are expecting the quality of a Criterion Collection DVD you will be disappointed.

Brilliant Offbeat Daves Film, Horrible Print for DVD
As with many of Delmer Daves' films, The Red House shows originality, flair, and an intense weaving of landscape, theme, and character (rare among American directors working in the studios). He consistently achieves moments of great subtlety. In addition, Lon McCallister and Allene Roberts deliver striking performances under Daves' sensitive direction. It's no surprise that Scorcese noted this film in his "Personal Journey Through American Movies". Unfortunately, the print of the film used for the DVD is HORRIBLE -- there have to be better prints out there of this film!

A Long Lost Classic!!
Edward G. Robinson is fantastic as the man with the dark secret, in this excellent thriller! I bought it expecting to be either bored or amused. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised! The Red House is actually pretty creepy. Robinson plays a farmer who is not what he appears to be. There's a red house in the woods where something terrible happened many years earlier. His daughter (Arlene Roberts), and his sister (the magnificent Judith "Mrs. Danvers" Anderson) live with him. A boy comes to help out on the farm and the web of mystery slowly unravels. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves thrillers, chillers, or just plain good movies... ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Along Came Jones is one of the most oddball artifacts from Hollywood's golden age. Gary Cooper (who doubled as producer) plays Melody Jones, a "common ordinary useless bronc-stomper" who moseys into the town of Payneville--or is it Painful?--just after legendary bad ass Monte Jarrad has held up the stagecoach. The townsfolk eyeball the "MJ" on Melody's stirrup, leap to hysterically wrong conclusions, and start giving him a wide berth--in some cases, the better to lie in ambush for "Jarrad" while planning how to spend the bounty money. Now, as it happens--and as his crusty sidekick George (the insuperably irreverent William Demarest) keeps reminding him--Melody can barely get his gun out of the holster without blowing his own kneecap off. All that stands between him and extinction is the quick-thinking intervention of a local maiden, one Cherry de Longpre (Loretta Young). Melody, of course, promptly becomes hogtied with love, not suspecting Cherry's the childhood sweetheart of the real Monte Jarrad (Dan Duryea)....

Stylistically the film is a wild mix, with director Stuart Heisler paying close attention to down-the-gun-barrel point of view in several scenes, yet also sitting still for floaty back-projection photography so egregious that it may bring on motion sickness. Still, Nunnally Johnson's script is droll; Cooper clearly relished the chance to poke fun at his strong-silent stereotype; and he and Preston Sturges stalwart Demarest establish a sardonic comic rapport. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Cooper was Hollywood's greatest simpleton.
Too bad they didnt give him any material to work with in this turkey.

Cooper plays a dimwitted cowpoke (not much of a stretch) mistaken for a notorious outlaw. Some light moments, but no humor. Actually, about the only highlight here is a gorgeous Loretta Young as the outlaw's reluctant girlfriend. OK, I'm out of compliments.

An interesting but overlong diversion, only for huge fans of the genre, or Gary Cooper.

Mr. Deeds Goes to the Wild West
Overall, this is an entertaining movie though it moves slowly. It's not a great film, but definitely worth seeing and a bit of a curiousity in the sense that the hero (Cooper) can't shoot a gun, bumbles around falling over himself and is ultimately rescued by a woman, Loretta Young. Not standard fare for 1945. In many ways, it's Mr. Deeds placed into a western. Cooper as Melody Jones seems a slow-witted innocent but is much smarter than he appears.

The downside is the DVD. While not a horrible copy, it certainly isn't good. It appears as if no effort has been made to restore the film. In fact, you're left with the impression they grabbed whatever copy was handy. Some scenes are so dark you can't make out any detail beyond silouettes and many scenes are scratched or otherwise blemished. And of course, nothing to speak of in terms of features. It's a good price but it would be nice if MGM treated their films with a bit more respect.

It's worth seeing however and, if you like Gary Cooper as I do, worth having. Also, if you like westerns this is a nice one to have because it is such a strange duck (as a western). ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Raiders were trained to operate as a guerrilla outfit
I'll agree with some of the reviews about the movie being a little cornball.

Col. Carlson was sent to China by our government as an observer. He was not a Communist as implied. The Chinese term "Gung Ho" is still used by people in our military today. Remember, China and Russia were allies of ours in World War II. My high school coach was an observer with the Russian Army and he was no Communist.

President Roosevelt's son James was executive officer of Carlson's Raiders and a good Marine. The Raiders were no more blood thirsty than any other Marine with a rifle in combat in WWII.

I would have liked to seen more of the training the Raiders went through.

Gung Ho!
Some movies really don't age well.

GUNG HO! is a creaky old warhorse. It tells the story of the Second Marine Raider Battalion from its formation shortly after the Pearl Harbor to its first mission, a raid on Makin Island. The battalion is a volunteer outfit, so the first question the movie asks of its young stars is "Why do you want to kill Japs?" The Kentucky hick and the Brooklyn toughie and the ordained minister all pretty much say the same thing - because I don't like them.

The film follows the recruits through training and graduation to deployment and finally battle, with a short detour for a sloppy little romantic subplot. GUNG HO!, released in 1943, is based on actual events. The Marines' successful raid was big news back in those bleak days.
This is more a curiosity, a study of the value of propaganda on public morale, than a historically accurate document. Some of its inconsistencies are pretty jarring, though. For instance, Colonel Thorwald (Randolph Scott), the commander of the battalion, gives an inspirational speech at the beginning of training. He exhorts his men to "Cast out all prejudices, racial and religious," and learn to act as a, well, band of brothers. The men may have taken it to heart, but you can't help but notice there are NO people of color, save for a Filipino volunteer, in the unit. The only African-American in the whole movie is a cook on the transport submarine. It probably wasn't noticed when the movie was released, but it does seem a little ironic now.
Col. Thorwald delivers a few more "Some of us are going to die for democracy and freedom and equality" speeches, which are set in stark contrast with the behavior of the Japanese defenders. Fighter pilots laugh as they strafe ground troops. A badly wounded GI, begging for water, is brutally bayoneted by a Japanese soldier.
If you like standard issue war movies, I guess you'll like GUNG HO! Be warned, though. On the cover of the dvd case it looks like Robert Mitchum is pictured next to Randolph Scott, and it seems like they're co-starring. Mitchum has a relatively minor role in this one, much smaller than those played by the likes of Alan Curtis and Noah Beery, Jr.
And the dvd appears to have been transfers from a handy print. There are splotches and splashes and scratches throughout the whole thing. A bargain bin purchase at best.

Bad but Interesting
I'm a high school history and American studies teacher, and I sometimes show this film to my classes as an example of Hollywood's role in WW II. As a piece of cinema, it's pretty bad, filled with a lot of jingoism, ethnic stereotypes, and cornball humor. Compared to our modern portrayals of combat e.g. Saving Pvt. Ryan or Band of Brothers, the battle scenes are laughable--and I do often hear laughs in my classes, often at the wrong times.

As an artifact demonstrating what the United States thought of its war effort in 1943, however, Gung Ho is interesting. Like so many other Hollywood war films, it follows a multicultural unit of American soldiers through their training and into their first combat. The characters' names tell the story: Sgt. McBride the tough Irishman, Lt. Christopoulos the self-made Greek immmigrant, Frankie Montana, the Italian from Brooklyn who has a chip on his shoulder, the fighting half-brothers O' Ryan and Richter, who both love the same girl. The unit commander is the resourceful Col. Thorwald (German/Scandinavian), played by Randoph Scott, who molds them into a single fighting battalion, in much the way that the WWII United States was molded into a unified nation of immigrants to meet the international threat of fascist totalitarianism. Thorwald's motto is "Gung Ho," Chinese for "work together harmoniously." On a number of occasions he makes extended speeches into the camera to emphasize how important it is for the soldiers/audience to follow the motto, win the war, and establish a just and lasting peace.

Several other aspects of the film make it interesting, notably the presence of future stars in early roles. The most obvious is Robt. Mitchum in a small part, but you can also spot Noah Beery, Jr. (later of The Rockford Files and numerous other shows) and Rod Cameron (TV westerns of the 50s). Plus old-time Hollywood character actors like J. Carroll Naish and Louis Jean Heydt. Another interesting aspect is the (very muted) left-wing influence. Thorwald is apparently based on Col. Carlson of the Marine Raiders and perhaps Gen. Stillwell of the army, and is an admirer of the revolutionary Chinese communist army of Maozedong (although neither of the words "communist" nor "Maozedong" is mentioned in the film). He adopts his tactics and philosophy from Mao! Although I don't know Carlson's background, I suspect this facet of the film is based on his actual experience and training philosophy, and I do know that Stillwell traveled with the Chinese Red army during the 1930s and ended up admiring it. (See also the novel Once An Eagle by Anton Myrer, which covers some of the same ground.)

So: Gung Ho is a bad film with some interesting background/sociology connected with it. Better WW II films which employ some of the same ideas include Guadalcanal Diary and 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, which I also use sometimes in class.

Interresting War Propaganda Film.
This is first and foremost a WWII Era War Prop movie. It was made when the war in the Pacific was going bad for America and the U.S. wanted to boost morale back home. Therefore expect the Americans to be Brave, Intellegent, etc. One of the interresting things to note is the positive focus on China. If you are interrested in History it is worth reviewing but this is not Pearl Harbor. Enjoyable film but not one of the must owns.

Eroc

Not gung ho about Gung Ho
This is an action adventure film made during the propaganda era of WWII. Loosely based on fact, the Americans are cheerful and brave, the Japanese stupid and cowardly. Look for a young Robert Mitchum as Piggie. My problem is that the copy I received was so dark as to be unusable. Good example of the genre but this edition leaves much to be desired. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If it weren't so clearly a product of the precise moment when the U.S. had just suffered the Japanese sneak attacks of December 1941, To the Shores of Tripoli might easily be mistaken for the definitive parody of World War II Hollywood jingoism by a latter-day satirical troupe--say, the SCTV gang. Smartass child of privilege John Payne is sent to Marine boot camp to learn about responsibility and being a team player. Although shot on location at San Diego, the sunny Technicolor training exercises look more like a musical-comedy summer stock company working out. Drillmaster Randolph Scott and fiery-haired nurse Maureen O'Hara love Payne in spite of his myriad obnoxious qualities, and he does have the right stuff, as he demonstrates at the drop of a hat--and the rest of his civilian clothes--the minute he hears about Pearl Harbor over the radio. The finale, a troopship embarkation turned full-scale production number, has to be seen to be disbelieved. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Stupid ... just like a Fox
To phrase this as kindly as possible ... the folks at Fox Home Entertainment are dumber than dirt, especially when it comes to their library of classic movies. They've pulled off some spectacular marketing fiascos over the years ... such as releasing the 1939 box-office smash "Jesse James" on laserdisc in a faded, washed-out print back in the early 1990's; and more recently, pushing their (badly) colorized versions of several Shirley Temple classics into the marketplace on DVD instead of the glorious black and white originals.

But the DVD edition of "To the Shores of Tripoli" represents a new low for the company. This movie received an Oscar nomination for Edward Cronjager's and William Skall's gorgeous candybox TECHNICOLOR cinematography. The title frame of the film itself says: "'To the Shores of Tripoli' in TECHNICOLOR." The DVD box itself says, "1942, COLOR, 86 minutes" under the advertising blurb; and then proclaims "Photographed in TECHNICOLOR" in the credits area. But guess what?!!? The DVD was mastered from a BLACK & WHITE re-release print, and not the original Technicolor negative! Hello, 11th-Century Fox! That churning sound you hear is former studio head Darryl F. Zanuck spinning 'round and 'round in his grave. Unfortunately, this movie is just not worth watching unless you get to marvel at Maureen O'Hara's beautiful tresses in all their flame-colored glory!

But that's not the only blunder on this disc or its packaging. In the box describing the DVD's features, the aspect ratio is correctly noted as 1.33:1, Full Frame Format. However, the last line on the bottom of the box's back panel notes: "WIDESCREEN VERSION: Presented in a letterbox format preserving the aspect ratio of its original theatrical exhibition." Huh! Who proofreads this stuff? And while I'm on a rant ... the actress featured on the front of the DVD looking soulfully at John Payne - and who is also featured in a scene still on the back of the box - is none other than fourth-billed Nancy ("The Bad Seed") Kelly, who played the distaff second lead in the film. NOT that you would know from reading the DVD box, since Fox didn't bother to give the future Oscar-nominee even a small feature credit.

Fox Home Entertainment, get it together! At this point, you're the laughingstock of the industry, despite having some of the best classic films ever made in your library ("The Grapes of Wrath", "The Ox-Bow Incident", "Laura", "Leave Her to Heaven", "Pinky", "A Letter to Three Wives", etc., etc.). We're waiting patiently for these goodies ... and praying you won't screw them up too badly when you finally get around to releasing them.

The DVD version is misrepresented.
I bought a copy of the DVD version of this movie which I had seen in the theatres many years ago. When I started the movie I noticed it was in black and white, not in color as the movie was photographed in and what the DVD jacket said it was in. Thinking the DVD was defective, I returned it. I then went to another place and bought another copy. It too was in black and white. I sent e-mails to Fox asking what was wrong and never received an answer. I strongly recommend that you do not buy the DVD version. Too bad, the movie actually is very good.

DON'T BUY THIS DVD!!!!!!
This Technicolor film received an Academy Award nomination for best color cinematography. So what did Fox Home Video do? They put out the film on DVD in a BLACK & WHITE PRINT!!!!!!

The way it really wasn't
Playboy John Payne joins the Marines, makes time with pretty nurses, beats up Randolph Scott, his DI, (how we all wished we could have but never dared), gets out, hears about (Japanese) attack on Pearl Harbor, sees old outfit marching to the troop ship, decides right there and then to re-enlist. Only during the War would a movie like this have been made. I loved it and so will any Marine. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Raiders were trained to operate as a guerrilla outfit
I'll agree with some of the reviews about the movie being a little cornball.

Col. Carlson was sent to China by our government as an observer. He was not a Communist as implied. The Chinese term "Gung Ho" is still used by people in our military today. Remember, China and Russia were allies of ours in World War II. My high school coach was an observer with the Russian Army and he was no Communist.

President Roosevelt's son James was executive officer of Carlson's Raiders and a good Marine. The Raiders were no more blood thirsty than any other Marine with a rifle in combat in WWII.

I would have liked to seen more of the training the Raiders went through.

Gung Ho!
Some movies really don't age well.

GUNG HO! is a creaky old warhorse. It tells the story of the Second Marine Raider Battalion from its formation shortly after the Pearl Harbor to its first mission, a raid on Makin Island. The battalion is a volunteer outfit, so the first question the movie asks of its young stars is "Why do you want to kill Japs?" The Kentucky hick and the Brooklyn toughie and the ordained minister all pretty much say the same thing - because I don't like them.

The film follows the recruits through training and graduation to deployment and finally battle, with a short detour for a sloppy little romantic subplot. GUNG HO!, released in 1943, is based on actual events. The Marines' successful raid was big news back in those bleak days.
This is more a curiosity, a study of the value of propaganda on public morale, than a historically accurate document. Some of its inconsistencies are pretty jarring, though. For instance, Colonel Thorwald (Randolph Scott), the commander of the battalion, gives an inspirational speech at the beginning of training. He exhorts his men to "Cast out all prejudices, racial and religious," and learn to act as a, well, band of brothers. The men may have taken it to heart, but you can't help but notice there are NO people of color, save for a Filipino volunteer, in the unit. The only African-American in the whole movie is a cook on the transport submarine. It probably wasn't noticed when the movie was released, but it does seem a little ironic now.
Col. Thorwald delivers a few more "Some of us are going to die for democracy and freedom and equality" speeches, which are set in stark contrast with the behavior of the Japanese defenders. Fighter pilots laugh as they strafe ground troops. A badly wounded GI, begging for water, is brutally bayoneted by a Japanese soldier.
If you like standard issue war movies, I guess you'll like GUNG HO! Be warned, though. On the cover of the dvd case it looks like Robert Mitchum is pictured next to Randolph Scott, and it seems like they're co-starring. Mitchum has a relatively minor role in this one, much smaller than those played by the likes of Alan Curtis and Noah Beery, Jr.
And the dvd appears to have been transfers from a handy print. There are splotches and splashes and scratches throughout the whole thing. A bargain bin purchase at best.

Bad but Interesting
I'm a high school history and American studies teacher, and I sometimes show this film to my classes as an example of Hollywood's role in WW II. As a piece of cinema, it's pretty bad, filled with a lot of jingoism, ethnic stereotypes, and cornball humor. Compared to our modern portrayals of combat e.g. Saving Pvt. Ryan or Band of Brothers, the battle scenes are laughable--and I do often hear laughs in my classes, often at the wrong times.

As an artifact demonstrating what the United States thought of its war effort in 1943, however, Gung Ho is interesting. Like so many other Hollywood war films, it follows a multicultural unit of American soldiers through their training and into their first combat. The characters' names tell the story: Sgt. McBride the tough Irishman, Lt. Christopoulos the self-made Greek immmigrant, Frankie Montana, the Italian from Brooklyn who has a chip on his shoulder, the fighting half-brothers O' Ryan and Richter, who both love the same girl. The unit commander is the resourceful Col. Thorwald (German/Scandinavian), played by Randoph Scott, who molds them into a single fighting battalion, in much the way that the WWII United States was molded into a unified nation of immigrants to meet the international threat of fascist totalitarianism. Thorwald's motto is "Gung Ho," Chinese for "work together harmoniously." On a number of occasions he makes extended speeches into the camera to emphasize how important it is for the soldiers/audience to follow the motto, win the war, and establish a just and lasting peace.

Several other aspects of the film make it interesting, notably the presence of future stars in early roles. The most obvious is Robt. Mitchum in a small part, but you can also spot Noah Beery, Jr. (later of The Rockford Files and numerous other shows) and Rod Cameron (TV westerns of the 50s). Plus old-time Hollywood character actors like J. Carroll Naish and Louis Jean Heydt. Another interesting aspect is the (very muted) left-wing influence. Thorwald is apparently based on Col. Carlson of the Marine Raiders and perhaps Gen. Stillwell of the army, and is an admirer of the revolutionary Chinese communist army of Maozedong (although neither of the words "communist" nor "Maozedong" is mentioned in the film). He adopts his tactics and philosophy from Mao! Although I don't know Carlson's background, I suspect this facet of the film is based on his actual experience and training philosophy, and I do know that Stillwell traveled with the Chinese Red army during the 1930s and ended up admiring it. (See also the novel Once An Eagle by Anton Myrer, which covers some of the same ground.)

So: Gung Ho is a bad film with some interesting background/sociology connected with it. Better WW II films which employ some of the same ideas include Guadalcanal Diary and 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, which I also use sometimes in class.

Interresting War Propaganda Film.
This is first and foremost a WWII Era War Prop movie. It was made when the war in the Pacific was going bad for America and the U.S. wanted to boost morale back home. Therefore expect the Americans to be Brave, Intellegent, etc. One of the interresting things to note is the positive focus on China. If you are interrested in History it is worth reviewing but this is not Pearl Harbor. Enjoyable film but not one of the must owns.

Eroc

Not gung ho about Gung Ho
This is an action adventure film made during the propaganda era of WWII. Loosely based on fact, the Americans are cheerful and brave, the Japanese stupid and cowardly. Look for a young Robert Mitchum as Piggie. My problem is that the copy I received was so dark as to be unusable. Good example of the genre but this edition leaves much to be desired. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Raiders were trained to operate as a guerrilla outfit
I'll agree with some of the reviews about the movie being a little cornball