The early ‘50s found Jane Russell playing lady adventuress in films noir at Howard Hughes’ increasingly dysfunctional R.K.O. Here, Victor Mature steps in for Robert Mitchum who did the one before (HIS KIND OF WOMAN/’51) and the one after (MACAO/’52).* Director Robert Stevenson, about to start five years of tv fare before landing as Disney’s first-choice house-director, puts out a smoother, if less fun product than the two with Mitchum. (Smoother because it doesn't suffer so much from Hughes’ micromanaging & reshoots; less fun because Mitchum is such a cooler cat than Mature.) But decent enough; and better than that at the climax with a wild helicopter ride and a cleanly executed multi-floor chase between Mature & the film’s Mr. Baddie. Vincent Price is unusually sympathetic as Russell’s caring husband, unexpectedly stopping at Russell’s old stomping ground for a bit of gambling. Little does she know her wealthy hubby has gone bankrupt and is desperate to raise cash on her fabulous diamond necklace. Little does he know that Russell has a troubled history here, chanteuse to Hoagy Carmichael’s piano man and main squeeze to detective Mature. Neatly played most of the way, with a few songs for seasoning (Carmichael does one number ‘live’ and his classic ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’ supplies the main background), but alas, not nearly enough location stuff from this early era in Las Vegas history.
DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: *As mentioned, the two surrounding pics with Mitchum. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/05/his-kind-of-woman-1951.html https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2019/07/macao-1952.html
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