Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Movie review - "Second Chance" (1953) **1/2 (warning: spoilers)

 One of Bob Mitchum's junky thrillers he made for Howard Hughes at RKO. It's enjoyable and low rent and gives a decent 50s role to Linda Darnell. The copy I saw had a washed out look,  I think because it was shot in 3D. It was shot partly in Mexico.

It's best remembered if at all for its climax on a cable car - the last twenty minutes. I wonder if more could've been made of this.

Linda Darnell is a solid actor but I never quite believed she genuinely loved Mitchum. I did buy him loving her - he was committed in this role. Jack Palance is the best - genuinely terrifying. Dan Seymour adds some Sidney Greenstreet-style class. 

During the cable car some English supporting actor gets all this dialogue that should've gone to Darnell. It was quite a shock to see a guy plunge to his death in front of his son - and that kid had his mothered murdered by his dad the previous night. Full on!

Enjoyable second tier action which will best please fans of Palance, Darnell and Mitchum.

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