Borderline (1950)

Whatever the movie makers were aiming for, the film's mediocre, at best. Policewoman Haley is sent undercover below the border to break up a narcotics smuggling ring. There she finds a hulking ringleader (Burr) and a dubious companion McEvoy (MacMurray). So how will things work out once the getaway from Burr's brutal Ritchie starts.The trouble is the movie can't blend its threads effectively. Blame a sagging script and lackluster direction, particularly the uneven pacing and poor staging (the final shootout, especially). Then too, MacMurray appears unmotivated, walking through his part in atypically wooden fashion. He must have sensed something. Also telling is that Trevor's husband, millionaire Donald Bren, produced the project. At this point, Trevor's turned 40 and is apparently looking for a change of pace with a non-hardboiled role. Nonetheless, her rather cutesy approach never really registers as a policewoman. Ironically, that sort of role would ordinarily be a piece of cake for her tough-cookie persona. On the other hand, Burr really impresses as the hulking gangster. Prior to the Perry Mason gig, he made great movie heavies in more ways than one. Too bad he's not better used here.What I remember most, however, is the loony cabaret scene, when Haley steps out of the inept chorus line to entice Ritchie. For a moment I expected the Three Stooges to join in. Yes, it's that goofy. Anyway, in my little book the movie amounts to an unfortunate waste of a fine cast. Fortunately, both leads would go on to better things.

"Borderline" was a big disappointment, given the expectations I had from the MacMurray-Trevor star duo. They played their roles gamely in this awkwardly scripted, boringly directed melodrama (with light comedy overtones). If you forget about the tedious, poorly motivated plot line, there are a few enjoyably light and playful scenes between the two stars (both of whom look great, especially Trevor). They have good chemistry, and the inevitable romance that interferes with their respective drug enforcement chores (only because each believes the other is a criminal), works, despite the lazy script development. The romance works so well, in fact, that the plot demand that MacMurray turn Trevor in seems pretty unbelievable.On a minor level, "Borderline" is interesting for its mid-20th century Hollywood depiction of Mexico and Mexicans. Lots of stereotyping, primarily for questionable comic effect. I disagree with IMDb's characterization of speaking "Mexican" as a goof. It struck me as intentional. That's the way some people talked then (and the way some people still do).

Borderline has the interesting premise that two government agencies have operators working the same case and neither knows anything about the other. If they did there would be no film called Borderline.According to a recent biography of Fred MacMurray the film was produced by Claire Trevor's husband Milton Bren and MacMurray was given a piece of the film in lieu of a salary. It doesn't look like to much was spent on production values so it probably made a profit for its investors who were also its investors.Trevor is with the LAPD and she's sent in looking for dope smuggler Raymond Burr while MacMurray is with the Feds and he's worked his way into the gang of rival smuggler Roy Roberts. Circumstance throws these two together as MacMurray takes Trevor for what she is, a wisecracking moll whom he starts to fall for. Nevertheless his duty is clear.Borderline is not quite an easy fit between film noir and comedy which both stars have done their share of. Nevertheless MacMurray and Trevor work well together. Borderline is the kind of film Fred might have done with Carole Lombard had she lived.Fans of this most underrated actor will like this film, Fred carried worse in his career.

"Borderline" is sometimes classified as film noir, but it's really a combination of crime drama and romantic comedy. Since she could pass for a one of those "cheap, tawdry-looking dames" and "speaks a pretty good Mexican," star Claire Trevor (as Madeleine Haley) is chosen to investigate dope-smuggling "sucker for dames" Raymond Burr (as Pete Ritchie) down South. Don't miss Mr. Burr's reaction to the dolled-up Ms. Trevor dancing as one of the "la-la, la-la" girls. He responds to her "come hither" with a "vamoose!" When Burr finally succumbs to the older woman's charms, fist-throwing Fred MacMurray (as Johnny Macklin) enters the picture. The glee with which Mr. MacMurray smacks his cast-mates around doesn't match the impending revelation about the character. Next thing you know, Trevor and MacMurray are off on a road trip resembling "It Happened One Night" and falling in love. MacMurray gets the line, "Who do you have to know around here to get something to eat?" Big stars are catered to, sir, check with Norman Cook.*** Borderline (3/1/50) William A. Seiter ~ Claire Trevor, Fred MacMurray, Raymond Burr, Morris Ankrum