Harrison's Reports (1955)

2 HARRISON'S REPORTS January 1, 1955 "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" with William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric March & Mickey Rooney (Paramount, January; time, 103 mm.) Based on James A. Michener's widely-read novel of the same title, and photographed in Technicolor, L"The Bridges at Toki-Ri" is an impressive and forceful war drama, expertly directed and finely acted. Though the drawing power of the principal players is not to be discounted, there is a question as to whether or not this picture will prove to be a popular one, mainly because the tragic ending, though realistic, tends to depress the spectator. The fact that the hero is built up as a highly sympathetic character throughout serves to heighten the spectator's feeling of dejection when he is killed by enemy bullets in the closing reel. Still another factor that tends to weigh against wide acceptance of the picture is that it relives the Korean War and the heartbreaks suffered, not only by those participating in the action, but also by their families, all of which most people would rather forget. Otherwise, the story offers strong dramatic and exciting situations as it details in personal terms the human emotions and dangers faced by a Navy combat flier, a World War II veteran, who reluctantly finds himself recalled from civilian life to fight in undeclared warfare while others remain at home and lead normal lives with their families. A considerable part of the action has been shot aboard an aircraft carrier and at actual locations in and around Tokyo, providing the proceedings with highly interesting fascinating backgrounds. Worthy of special mention is the expert aerial photography, particularly the sequences that show a squadron of carrier-based jet planes carrying out a dangerous bombing mission against a group of strategic bridges deep in enemy territory: — Fredric March, a U.S. Admiral commanding a Navy task force operating in Korean waters, cannot forget the loss of his two sons, killed in action. William Holden, a jet pilot who served with distinction in World War II, and who resented being called back to active duty, reminds March of his own boys and achieves a place of affection in March's mind. When Holden's plane is ditched in the ocean while returning from a mission, he is rescued dramatically by a helicopter piloted by Mickey Rooney, much to March's relief. Upon recovering from this experience, Holden learns from March that the Bridges at TokoRi, deep in enemy territory, must be knocked out. Holden's spirits are given a decided lift when he learns that Grace Kelly, his wife, and their two children, had arrived in Tokyo. Their reunion is a most joyous one, but their first evening together is interrupted by a call for help from Rooney, who had been imprisoned after a brawl over a Japanese girl. Grace is distressed when Holden leaves her to rescue Rooney, but understands when March explains Holden's debt to Rooney. She is stunned to learn that Holden had crashed into the sea and stiffens when March reveals the dangerous mission Holden must undertake to destroy the bridges. March wanted her to know about the mission so that she would be prepared for any tragic happening and not crack up as a result of it, as had been the case with his own daughter-in-law. After his brief reunion with Grace, Holden returns to active duty and, together with Charles McGraw, his flight commander, flies a pre-strike mission to obtain photos of the bridges and of their defenses. The flight is successful, but the dangers encountered from enemy fire, coupled with a near-crash when he lands back on the carrier, unnerves Holden to the point of being terrified by the dangers he will face on the bombing raid. He regains his composure by the time the jet planes take off as scheduled. The bridges are destroyed in a successful raid but Holden's ship is hit by flack and begins to lose fuel. He is compelled to land in a rice field, and a helicopter flown by Rooney rushes to his rescue. Enemy guns set fire to the helicopter as soon as it lands, and Rooney joins Holden a ditch, from which they put up a gallant but hopeless defense against the advancing Reds, who kill them. It was produced by William Perlberg and George Seaton, and directed by Mark Robson, from a screenplay by Valentine Davies. Best suited for mature audiences. "Vera Cruz" with Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Denise Darcel & Cesar Romero (United Artists, January; time, 94 min.) Rough, rugged and violent action is dished out with a vengeance in this slam-bang outdoor melodrama, which has been photographed in Technicolor and in the new SuperScope anamorphic process. It is the type of entertainment that should more than satisfy those who enjoy plenty of virility in their screen fare, even if it is somewhat unpleasant. Revolving around two unprincipled and mercenary American adventurers who, together with a gang of undisciplined desperadoes, become involved in the Mexican revolution against Maximillian, the story is one in which violence and viciousness run rampant as the different characters try to outsmart and doublecross each other in an attempt to lay hands on a shipment of gold they were guarding for Maximillian. There is added excitement in the fact that the rebel forces opposing the Emperor seek to hijack the gold. This leads to several thrilling large-scale battles. Vigorous performances are turned in by Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster as the cunning adventurers who team up with Maximillian to make a fast dollar. Cooper, who displays traits of human decency, is a somewhat sympathetic character, but Lancaster, though colorful, is mean and murderous. Cesar Romero is smooth and suave as a nobleman, and Morris Ankrum is decidedly sympathetic as the leader of the rebels. Sex appeal and romantic interest are provided by Denise Darcel, as a French Countess, and Sarita Montiel, as a rebel follower. The action was photographed entirely in Mexico and the 7 to 1 SuperScope aspect ratio gives an impressive panoramic sweep to the scenic beauties and the sprawling action. The color photography, however, is at times blurry, making for images that are not too clearly defined. The action takes place in 1866:— Cooper, a former Confederate officer seeking to recoup the fortune he had lost during the Civil War, arrives in Mexico in the hope that he can in some way profit from the conflict between the followers of Juarez and those of Maximillian. He tangles with Lancaster, rough and reckless leader of a gang of American desperadoes, but each has too much respect for the other's ability with a gun to start a fight. In the complicated events that follow, they agree to join forces and accept an offer to accompany a troop of Maximillian's Lancers headed by Romero and escort Denise, through rebel territory, to the safety of a waiting ship in Vera Cruz. Actually, the purpose of the mission was to deliver a fortune in gold concealed in the floor of Denise 's coach, the gold being con