By the humble standards of the independent "B", this is quite a noteworthy effort. Of course, most interest will now lie in seeing cult heroine Fay Wray in one of her earliest roles. Already, she is the focus of our attention, quite putting "other girl", Claire de Lorez, in the shade, and even focusing our attention away from hero, Kenneth McDonald. Only delightfully villainous Gino Corrado (who made his living playing waiters all through the sound period) can hold a candle to her, although hammy Spottiswoode Aitken makes a game (if misdirected) try!
Although William E. Wing's script was obviously written to accommodate a "B" budget, by the standards of independent Poverty Row, production values are really quite high and the direction by producer-financier Bud Barsky more than reasonably competent. He certainly makes good use of his real locations, even if the indoor scenes were obviously shot in a small studio with limited resources.
Great photography by Ernest Miller and smooth editing by Grace Harrison certainly help, but all told, it's chiefly thanks to Miss Wray that The Coast Patrol comes across as a superior "B" movie that definitely holds our interest. Top marks to Alpha for making such a good Kodascope cut-down available on DVD.
Although William E. Wing's script was obviously written to accommodate a "B" budget, by the standards of independent Poverty Row, production values are really quite high and the direction by producer-financier Bud Barsky more than reasonably competent. He certainly makes good use of his real locations, even if the indoor scenes were obviously shot in a small studio with limited resources.
Great photography by Ernest Miller and smooth editing by Grace Harrison certainly help, but all told, it's chiefly thanks to Miss Wray that The Coast Patrol comes across as a superior "B" movie that definitely holds our interest. Top marks to Alpha for making such a good Kodascope cut-down available on DVD.