Carl Christian Movies
- 1957
The literalism of writer-director Richard Brooks serves him well in this meticulously faithful adaptation of the Robert Ruark novel Something of Value. Filmed on location in Africa, this is the story of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, as seen through the eyes of a handful of protagonists. Virtually alone in a sea of racist British colonialism, gentleman farmer Peter McKenzie (Rock Hudson) strives to understand the demands of freedom and equality made by Kenya's black population in particular and his childhood friend Kimani (Sidney Poitier) in particular. Ultimately, however, McKenzie and Kimani find themselves on opposite sides of the fence when the latter aligns himself with the Mau Mau. Without advocating the terrorism of this controversial movement, the screenplay is careful to deal the ongoing iniquities and frustrations that forced men like Kimani to take arms against their white brethren. There were a few theatres in the American south who, feeling that the racial tensions inherent in Something of Value hit too close to home, refused to book this fascinating, thought-provoking, often startlingly brutal film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Dana Wynter, (more)
Perhaps the definitive Douglas Sirk production, Written on the Wind is based on the novel by Robert Wilder. The story revolves around the Hadleys, a wealthy but thoroughly debauched family of Texas oil millionaires. Robert Stack is self-destructive alcoholic Kyle Hadley, while Dorothy Malone won an Oscar for her equally vivid potrayal of Kyle's nymphomaniac sister Marylee. Kyle manages to win beautiful, level-headed advertising executive Lucy Moore (Lauren Bacall) away from his best friend, virile Hadley Oil geologist Mitch Wayne (Rock Hudson), but Lucy soon comes to regret her decision to marry into the hell-on-earth Hadley family. When Lucy becomes pregnant, Kyle assumes that Mitch is the father, leading to a maelstrom of fever-pitch emotionalism and stark tragedy. Before he quite knows what is happening, Mitch is on trial for murder; the one person who can clear him is the craven Marylee, who demands Mitch's sexual favors as the price for her testimony. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, (more)
- 1953
Mark Stevens stars as a Navy pilot named Bingham in this paean to the modern-day submarine service. Covering the years 1941 to 1952, Torpedo Alley details Bingham's training as a sub commander. Feeling guilty for the deaths of several of his fellow pilots, he signs up for submarine service at the end of WW II. He proves equal to his task, though it takes a great deal of soul searching, coupled with the tender ministrations of his lady friend Susan (Dorothy Malone), before Bingham is able to overcome his guilt complex and assume a command position again. Torpedo Alley was co-written by Sam Roeca (who later supervised such above-average children's programs as Valley of the Dinosaurs and Land of the Lost) and actor Warren Douglas. The film was intended as the vanguard of "quality filmmaking" from Allied Artists, which in 1952 finally shed itself of its earlier existence as low-budget Monogram Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Stevens, Dorothy Malone, (more)
