Dangerous Crossing (1953)

In 1950, the film "So Long at the Fair" debuted. It was the film about a brother and sister who went to the Paris Exhibition--only to have the brother disappear. Even more odd, no one seems to have remembered seeing him and soon the authorities seem to think she is losing her mind. Only three years later, a very, very similar film is released and "Dangerous Crossing" is essentially the same film but with a very different ending. I know that a few other similar films have been released--so clearly "Dangerous Crossing" won't get points for originality.In the case of "Dangerous Crossing", a brand-new wife (Jeanne Crain) soon is separated from her husband (Carl Betz) on a cruise ship. And, oddly, he doesn't return and no one seems to be able to find any evidence that he existed. For most of the film, this is handled pretty well. However, Crain's part isn't written very well. At one point she swoons--and swooning is a STUPID cliché. People rarely faint in real life--yet in movies women pass out right and left--especially when they hear shocking news or a monster is nearby! Late in the film, Crain (who is still convinced she isn't crazy) begins screaming and acting 100% crazy! This seriously undermines her character--and this was simply a case of overdoing it. Still, despite all this, the film is entertaining and worth seeing--mostly because the story idea is captivating. Worth seeing--but certainly not without flaws.

I enjoyed the film. Visually grand, the plot reminds one of a Hitchcock film where the audience feels as trapped as the lead character.One could quibble about Jeannie Crain's performance. It is, shall we say, a bit broad. However, we should remember two things: 1) that this was the style of time - remember "Sorry, Wrong Number" where Barbara Stanwyck gives a very uncharacteristic over-the-top performance and 2) the character is supposed to be unstable mentally and many mentally ill people are not generally subtle in expressing their feelings.Michael Rennie gives a good restrained performance that keeps things realistic. It was great seeing Carl Betz (a fine actor in "The Donna Reed Show," and the excellent courtroom drama, "Judd for the Defense"). I thought he was very effective.I think the movie works as a mystery and as a film noir with an unusual homme fatale. Don't read any more reviews before seeing the picture and don't let any one tell you the ending.

Fox Film-Noir. Joseph Newman directs Jeanne Crain, who probably was borderline verging the higher echelon of leading ladies. The attractive Crain plays Ruth Bowman, a blushing bride so proud of her new husband John(Carl Betz). The honeymoon is to be a transatlantic voyage...romantic with magical delights. But chaos begins when John leaves his bride in their cabin to go to the purser...he never arrived there and never came back to his new wife, who is shifting into a delirious frenzy. No one on board has any record of his existence. Instead of a happy honeymoon it is frantic hysteria for Ruth, who must prove she is actually married and that John does exist. The only person on board who feels Ruth's ordeal is real and not imagined is the ship's physician, Dr. Paul Manning(Michael Rennie), who might have some deeper feelings for his newest patient. Other players include: Mary Anderson, Marjorie Hoshelle, Willis Bouchey and Max Showalter.

Wow! What a great little noir. Apparently made utilising sets from 'Titanic' and 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', films made the same year, this is a great example of fast (three weeks shooting) low budget film making. Not a wasted frame, this spooky, thrilling mystery, looks good all the time and many shots are exceptional. Lots of shadowy, foggy or against the light close-ups and a sensational sequence in the ballroom. All menace and subterfuge as we begin to feel that Jeanne Crain's character is surely going to break down despite the restrained and reassuring Michael Rennie, who doesn't even get a kiss. The film races along and has your attention all the time. Set on an ocean liner we do not get the dark streets and lamplight shadows but Newman certainly makes the most of what he's got; the drone of the foghorn, the swirling fog itself and a slew of fellow travellers Crain is not too sure about. And nor are we! Splendid.