Harrison's Reports (1955)

July 16, 1955 115 later to make arrangements for the payoff. Frantic over her husband's safety, Hildy notfies the police but warns them that Kelly will be killed if the gangsters learn of her move. By means of secret codes, the police spread a dragnet throughout the area and, with the cooperation of telephone company technicians, track down the thugs when they phone Hildy to give her instructions for the payment of the ransom. All three are cornered and captured while their leader talks to Hildy, and Kelly is rescued unhurt. It was written, produced and directed by Andrew Stone. Adults. "The Big Bluff" with Martha Vickers, John Bromfield and Robert Hutton (United Artists, June; time, 70 rain.) A minor program melodrama, the kind most moviegoers will forget immediately after leaving the theatre, but it should serve its purpose as a supporting feature in situations where audiences are not too fussy. Centering around a wealthy but sick young woman who marries a murderous fortune-hunter, despite the warnings of her closest friend, the story, aside from being somewhat sordid, is synthetic, and the situations are too patly contrived. Moreover, the direction and acting are nothing to brag about; it seems as if the director just let the camera grind away while the performers went through their paces in routine fashion. The action unfolds with a minimum of suspense and with few surprises. The story ends with an ironical twist that brings retribution to the fortune-hunter for his diabolical cunning, but it is not unexpected: — When Martha Vickers, a wealthy young woman suffers a heart attack, her doctor tells Eve Miller, her secretary-companion, that she has only a short time to live. He recommends that Martha give up her gay life and go to California for a rest. There, Martha meets John Bromfield, a debonair fortune-hunter, who makes a play for her when he learns that she is a woman of means. Meanwhile, he carries on an affair with Rosemarie Bowe, a cafe dancer, who was unhappily married to Eddie Bee. The gay whirl with Bromfield causes Martha to suffer another heart attack, and this time Robert Hutton, her local doctor, tells her the truth about her condition. Reasoning that she has little time to live, Martha decides to marry Bromfield, despite Eve's warning that he was merely after her money. Bromfield marries her,, and soothes Rosemarie by telling her that Martha will not last very long, and that both will benefit after he inherits her fortune. Marriage, however, agrees with Martha, and her health improves to the point where she is given a chance of full recovery. To overcome this unexpected turn of events, Bromfield deliberately quarrels with Martha and leaves the house in a huff. He meets Rosemarie, establishes an iron-clad alibi that he had been with her, and then returns to the house and shoots Martha. Despite all indications that Martha had committed suicide, Eve insists that Bromfield had murdered her. The coroner, however, establishes that Martha had died from a heart attack before she was shot. Bromfield smugly points out that, even if it could be proved that he had shot Martha, he could not be convicted of murder. Just then news arrives that Rosemarie had been found murdered in her room, and based on evidence of his presence with Rosemarie, the police arrest Bromfield for the crime, despite his protests that the evidence was manufactured for the purpose of an alibi in connection with Martha's death. It was produced and directed by W. Lee Wilder, from a screenplay by Fred Freiberger, based on a story by Mindred Lord. Adult fare. "The Gun That Won the West" with Dennis Morgan, Richard Denning and Paula Raymond (Columbia, September; time, 69Vz rain.) Followers of Indians-versus-U.S. Cavalry melodramas should find this Technicolor feature satisfactory, even though the story is somewhat weak. The action is fast all the way through, particularly in the closing scenes, where the Indians attack the cavalry and are beaten back, thus being compelled to sign a treaty of peace. There are also several heroic situations in which Dennis Morgan and Richard Denning distinguish themselves. The gun referred to in the title is the Springfield rifle. Worked into proceedings is a romantic triangle involving Morgan, Dening and Paula Raymond, Denning's wife, who loved her husband, in spite of the fact that he had taken to drink, and whose prayers that he will reform are answered. The acting is competent, and the color photography superb. The action takes place in the late 1880's:— To protect crews working on a new railroad in Indian-infested Wyoming, the Army decides to construct a chain of forts. Colonel Roy Gordon is put in charge of the project, and he recruits Morgan and Denning, two of his former cavalry scouts, to help him, for both were friendly with Chief Red Cloud (Robert Bice) and he felt that they could persuade him to sign a peace treaty, particularly since the Army was now equipped with new and powerful Springfield rifles. Paula, Denning's wife, is pleased with the assignment, because Denning had taken to drink and she felt that the job might straighten him out. A strong affection exists between Paula and Morgan but neither one lets the feeling fan into a romantic flame. A peace meeting is arranged with Red Cloud at Fort Laramie, and during the conference Denning staggers in drunk and threatens to exterminate the Indians with the Springfield rifle unless a treaty is signed. Offended, Red Cloud stomps out of the conference room. Denning is put under arrest by the furious Gordon and is left behind when the construction workers set out to erect the forts. When they are attacked by the Indians, Gordon arranges for Springfield rifles to be dispatched to him from the fort. Meanwhile the sobered-up Denning seeks to redeem himself and persuades the fort's commander to let him call on Red Cloud with one of the new rifles so that he may demonstrate its power and induce the Chief to sign a treaty. But Red Cloud, influenced by a war-eager aide, refuses to be frightened and orders preparation for an attack. At the same time he orders that Denning be put to death. Denning manages to escape and, though seriously wounded, reaches Gordon's camp in time to warn him of the impending attack. The warning helps Gordon's troops to over power the Indians and to compel Red Cloud to sign a treaty. Paula welcomes back her reformed husband with open arms and looks forward to a happier life together. Sam KaUman produced it, and William Castle directed it, from a screenplay by James B. Gordon. Family.