Movie Review - The Girl In The Picture

The Girl In The Picture

1957

The Cast

Four years ago, a robbery went wrong resulting in a policeman being murdered and the killers escaped.  However, a photograph turns up on news reporter Jon Deering's (Houston) desk.  It shows the getaway car and a woman looking into it.  Believing this woman holds the key to the case, Deering sets off to find her... unfortunately, in his investigations, he tips off the robbers, who then start a search, though be it more deadly, for the girl in the picture... Pat Dryden (Crawford)

I do like this as a premise for a story, however, I don't think all the possibilities were utilised well.  This could have been a cat and mouse stalking game, what with the police, the reporter, and the bad guys tracking her down.  However, the police don't get involved too much and the murderers are hanging on the reporter's coattails.  This has the effect of making it less suspense-filled than it could have been?

The story and the acting are enough to make this an enjoyable one watch flick, though I would warn about the soundtrack.  It's your basic standard full orchestration, but when you get to the climax the director decides to use the music to jar your nerves... and turns the volume up.  This mixed with the old-fashioned police bells and sirens is enough to drive you mad.  As for the direction, it's okay, there's nothing innovative in the camera work and the pace stays pretty steady throughout.  Changing these would have helped to create a better atmosphere and tenseness to draw the viewer in.

The acting is pretty good and both Houston and Crawford do well in their roles.  That said, there are moments when it gets a little melodramatic and the acting begins to feel a little hammy.  Though these are few and have little effect on the film or story.

The one thing I did like about the story was the lack of a love interest.  In most films, this is a must, even when it's not required and sometimes it even feels awkward.  But there's nothing between Dryden and Deering, they are merely an eyewitness and a reporter. It was a refreshing change not to have the fawning doting of screen romance.

Though it's not the best thriller of its time it's still worth a checkout.

I give this a Reluctant Eyewitness a Suspicious 5.5 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Time Lock

Time Lock

1957

The Cast

This is a simple story of a boy who finds himself trapped in the vault at the bank where his father works and the race to get him out alive.  It's Friday and the Bank is getting ready to close for the weekend.  Stephen Walker (Winter) has just turned six and as a treat, his mom, Lucille (McDowall), takes him to meet his father, Colin (Patterson), out of work.  His dad just has to close up the vault and then they can go and celebrate.  However, while Colin and his boss, George Foster (Gifford), lock up the vault there's an automobile accident just outside the window, which takes their attention away for a couple of seconds.  When they finally close the door and the time lock kicks in it's the teller, Evelyn (Francis), who alerts them to the child's predicament... now the race is on...

What I really liked about this was the simplicity of both the story and the location.  You get a few outside shots, which only take up a couple of minutes, at most, and then the rest of the movie is set in two rooms.  Though you never really notice as the Director, Thomas, keeps you involved in the unfolding story.  As time passes, the question, "Will they be quick enough?" becomes more and more imperative... while the outlook grows bleaker and bleaker.  Thomas uses the limited space well, moving the camera around to its best advantage.

Then there's the acting, which is above par.  Every person involved in rescuing the boy has an urgency in their voice and in their movements.  Robert Beatty really sells the self-assured and strong-minded Pete Dawson, the mind who is responsible for the banks' security.  He is quick with a plan and quicker to rally the troops.  Whereas, Gifford as the Bank Manager Foster hits all the right notes in portraying a man who feels accountable for the accident and the possible death of a child. One thing which got under my skin was how little the parents appeared in the film.  It would have been better if these two characters had been stronger, then you would have had a near-perfect cast.

I'd recommend this film to all.  It's a nice way to spend an afternoon on these cold winter days, while the central heating keeps you nice and cosy.

I give this a time-critical 6.25 out of 10.

The Trailer