Friday, March 27, 2015

Movie review - "The Unguarded Moment" (1956) **1/2

This film is best remembered today if at all for being Esther Williams' first dramatic role in a decade, and for being co-written by Rosalind Russell. It's actually a neat little picture, about a high school teacher tormented by a stalker - the sort of story that's bread and butter for Aussie soaps.

There is some first rate stuff in it, like Williams being confronted in a gym by her stalker with a creepy voice (reminiscent of the later opening sequence of Midnight Lace), the persecution that Williams' character suffers when she claims she's being stalked (the students and conservative townsfolk think she's hitting on her students), some of the characterisations (the weak school principal, the weird woman hating dad Edward Andrews and his chilling relationship with son John Saxon). Williams isn't fantastic as an actress but has a decent character to play - strong, independent, sexy, concerned for her students, reluctant to dob in the main suspect. She has a logical and satisfying romance with George Nader, Universal's resident back up Rock Hudson but a strong presence.

Director Harry Keller was a good, solid suspense helmer and there's a strong support cast - John Saxon (one of the most talented teen idols acting wise, well cast), Andrews and Edward Platt. The main problem I feel is there isn't enough story to sustain a feature film. The mystery is "who is the stalker" - it could only be Saxon, Andrews or the principal, and all the cards indicate Andrews fairly early. It needed another twist or something - it feels too much like a one hour story. But still, I liked this more than I thought I would.

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