This is a terrible movie. And its all otto premingers fault. He was a knpwn to be cheap hack of a movie maker, heavy handed and narcissistic. Even Laura suffers because of this...the section on goofs alone should convince anyone in doubt just what a really bad movie maker he is...most roadrunner cartoons are more well done than this nonsense...
however, a couple bright spots...but first, look at the casting...stars and future stars pretty much seem to have done the usual run of the mill soap opera stumbling thru bad ridiculous dialogue...lets start at the top...John wayne is giving a rendition of, well john wayne from his past performances in at least 12 previous outings...kirk douglas hams his way thru, unrestrained, left to figure it out on his own (go watch Ace In the Hole for a good look at how he CAN act when a truly Great Director like BIlly Wilder has him under control)....dana andrews, tom tryon, jill haworth, brandon dewilde. Patrick o'neal are all cartoonish and unbelievbable...and who was the idiot who cast fonda?
But...Patricia Neal, Burgess Meridith, and the Great Stanley Holloway manage, despite the nature of their roles, to pull off pretty believable jobs... there jsut is no good reason then, to further discuss the glaring errors, goofs, bad camera angles, third rate lighting, and foolishly designed sets...but watch it...that is, if you like cheap soap opera productions.
But...Patricia Neal, Burgess Meridith, and the Great Stanley Holloway manage, despite the nature of their roles, to pull off pretty believable jobs... there jsut is no good reason then, to further discuss the glaring errors, goofs, bad camera angles, third rate lighting, and foolishly designed sets...but watch it...that is, if you like cheap soap opera productions.