Cast:
Ethel Waters (Mom), Coley Wallace (Ryan), Peter Dawson (Neely), Cecil Cunningham (Barb), William T. Hill (Cap), George Renna (Bartender), Cicely Tyson (Dottie), Diana Sands (Bar Girl), Richard Ward (Lechock), Ruth Sawyer (Baby), Henry Hayward (Willie), and Geoffrey Holder (Voo Doo Dancer) Directed by Harold Young (#511 - The Three Caballeros)
Review:
Admittedly, this film might have slipped through the cracks in any other time of day, partly because it is quite obscure. In fact, it was believed to have been lost for decades, since it was a B-movie that had a limited release (playing to segregated audiences in Key West, Florida). The screenplay and story were done by Charles Gossett and D. Lyle Kretsinger, their first and only screenplay; it was the last film directed by Harold Young, a system director if there ever was one (of course, he did direct the live-action sequences of The Three Caballeros, but still). It was shot independently by the Splendora Corporation. But there is something to discover in the curiosity of an integrated cast that features the film debut of four actors: Diana Sands, Cicely Tyson, Diana Sands, Richard Ward and Geoffrey Holder (the latter two had previous experience in television). Ethel Waters is likely the most notable name among the experienced cast, if only because she was a notable presence among Broadway and concerts for jazz and swing to go with acting roles for numerous decades. Of course, Tyson would have a lengthy career of seven decades in film and television, while the detective-turned-actor in Ward had two decades of film/TV roles with his distinct voice, and Holder was just as distinct. Wallace was more known for his amateur boxing career than as an actor, as this was his second of six overall roles (half of them had him play Joe Louis).
Well, there isn't exactly much to grapple with this movie, to be honest. It barely makes the best of its hour, since the story could really be told in probably less than half the time, one mostly shot at the Miami Seaquarium (recently built in 1955, one of the oldest oceanariums still running) and Key West, Florida. All that happens in the film is a mild expedition for gold, a title song done by Waters, one "action scene", a brief chase, voodoo, and a brief confrontation. At least one can't say the film is exploitative, if only because there is barely anything to really exploit in a film that seems lacking in suspense. Even the title song seems more like an obligation than anything. You would think a movie about sunken treasure and greed would be something else, but it is telegraphed very, very, very easily, with one-note folks everywhere you go. Tyson is the character with a mysterious disease, while Ward has an obvious chip on the shoulder, while others are just "there" (Dawson in particular). Heck, the voodoo part seems unnecessary, since it really seems like the chase segment comes to a close by sheer coincidence of the fact that town seems really small to begin with. I suppose the message of the film is something about greed...or fate? Hell, I love that there is a brief scene after the one fight sequence where two characters debate if one should stay inside (having beaten up the villain)...right before an off-screen arrest. Depth is one thing the film has exactly zero of, unless one counts sea action, but it amuses me that you can sometimes see fish swim right by the camera. Honestly, if the film hadn't languished in obscurity to the point of being thought to be lost, it might have just slipped by the radar with nary an objection, because it is really, really average. If you need an hour to kill with a few curious young presences, one could probably do better or worse, so take that for what it is worth.
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Next Time: The Learning Tree.
No comments:
Post a Comment