This low budget mystery thriller is intriguing right from the start and becomes incredibly tense following the unexplained disappearance of one of its main characters. The atmosphere steadily becomes more threatening and the presence of a number of rather suspicious-looking individuals soon fuels a profound sense of paranoia that continues to grow until the story's denouement finally provides some important explanations for what's transpired.
Newly-married Ruth Bowman (Jeanne Crain) and her husband John (Carl Betz) seem in good spirits at the start of their honeymoon on the ocean liner "S.S.Monrovia" as John carries Ruth over the threshold of their cabin B-16. After the stewardess who was arranging flowers in their room leaves, John tells Ruth that he's going to leave some cash with the Purser for safekeeping and arranges to meet her in the ship's main-deck bar in 15 minutes. When he doesn't turn up as arranged, Ruth visits the Purser who tells her that he hasn't seen John. She then returns to cabin B-16 which she finds locked and is told by the steward that B-16 hasn't been booked by anyone for this voyage. The Purser is then called and confirms from his passenger list that Ruth's reservation (which had been made in her maiden name) was actually for cabin B-18. At this point, she becomes very confused and distressed and so the ship's doctor is called.
The good natured Dr Paul Manning (Michael Rennie) makes some enquiries and everyone he speaks to, including the stewardess Anna Quinn (Mary Anderson), deny having seen John. In view of the circumstances, Manning takes Ruth to see Captain Peters (Willis Bouchey) who arranges for the ship to be searched but also doesn't seem to believe her story. His scepticism increases when the search proves to be fruitless and it emerges that Ruth doesn't have a passport, a ticket or even a wedding ring in her possession.
Ruth is surprised when she receives a telephone call from John who tells her that they're both in danger and that she should trust no-one. This only increases her anguish and the presence of a sinister-looking elderly gentleman with a cane, a steward whose manner is rather strange and a wealthy divorcee who tells her that "husbands can get lost so easily", only add to her discomfort and her reliance on Dr Manning to solve the mystery of what's happened to John and also to discover the reason for his disappearance.
"Dangerous Crossing" is well-paced, skilfully directed and claustrophobic and the whole production is held together by the radiant Jeanne Crain who's at the centre of everything that happens. Her ability to convey the degree of Ruth's torment without going over the top is very impressive and Michael Rennie does well as the handsome doctor who's unwittingly closer to the solution to the mystery than he could ever be expected to realize. With its fine supporting cast, superb cinematography and unsettling atmosphere, this is an enjoyable thriller that's both gripping and guaranteed not to disappoint.
Newly-married Ruth Bowman (Jeanne Crain) and her husband John (Carl Betz) seem in good spirits at the start of their honeymoon on the ocean liner "S.S.Monrovia" as John carries Ruth over the threshold of their cabin B-16. After the stewardess who was arranging flowers in their room leaves, John tells Ruth that he's going to leave some cash with the Purser for safekeeping and arranges to meet her in the ship's main-deck bar in 15 minutes. When he doesn't turn up as arranged, Ruth visits the Purser who tells her that he hasn't seen John. She then returns to cabin B-16 which she finds locked and is told by the steward that B-16 hasn't been booked by anyone for this voyage. The Purser is then called and confirms from his passenger list that Ruth's reservation (which had been made in her maiden name) was actually for cabin B-18. At this point, she becomes very confused and distressed and so the ship's doctor is called.
The good natured Dr Paul Manning (Michael Rennie) makes some enquiries and everyone he speaks to, including the stewardess Anna Quinn (Mary Anderson), deny having seen John. In view of the circumstances, Manning takes Ruth to see Captain Peters (Willis Bouchey) who arranges for the ship to be searched but also doesn't seem to believe her story. His scepticism increases when the search proves to be fruitless and it emerges that Ruth doesn't have a passport, a ticket or even a wedding ring in her possession.
Ruth is surprised when she receives a telephone call from John who tells her that they're both in danger and that she should trust no-one. This only increases her anguish and the presence of a sinister-looking elderly gentleman with a cane, a steward whose manner is rather strange and a wealthy divorcee who tells her that "husbands can get lost so easily", only add to her discomfort and her reliance on Dr Manning to solve the mystery of what's happened to John and also to discover the reason for his disappearance.
"Dangerous Crossing" is well-paced, skilfully directed and claustrophobic and the whole production is held together by the radiant Jeanne Crain who's at the centre of everything that happens. Her ability to convey the degree of Ruth's torment without going over the top is very impressive and Michael Rennie does well as the handsome doctor who's unwittingly closer to the solution to the mystery than he could ever be expected to realize. With its fine supporting cast, superb cinematography and unsettling atmosphere, this is an enjoyable thriller that's both gripping and guaranteed not to disappoint.