This is quite a good film, with a superb cast, crisp editing, and fine photographic sequences marred only by its heavy didactic tone, which often slows the movie down and creates stereotypical good guys and bad guys. Otherwise the film is quite well done, with memorable sequences, including the powerful hose sequence and the merry-go-round sequence that brilliantly stages the opposed views of the Paul Henried character and Ruth, played by Catherine McLeod, who later became James Garner's love interest in the Maverick TV series.
The film is also notable for being early featured parts for Anne Francis, Anne Jackson, and Rita Moreno, billed as Rosita Moreno in the credits.
Anne Francis looks especially cherubic and even androgynous at times, almost as if she could have played the role of the young inamorata in Death in Venice. In one rather risque scene at the time she leans over to expose her breasts to tempt the Henreid character. After she leaves he's apparently so aroused that he gulps down a cup of water from the water dispenser, whose bubbles suggest his suppressed sexual arousal.
Moreno gives a first-rate performance.
It's hard to find a "B" movie with such superb direction and an almost flawless cast apart from the stereotypical acting necessary at times to comport with the stereotypical characters.
The film is also notable for being early featured parts for Anne Francis, Anne Jackson, and Rita Moreno, billed as Rosita Moreno in the credits.
Anne Francis looks especially cherubic and even androgynous at times, almost as if she could have played the role of the young inamorata in Death in Venice. In one rather risque scene at the time she leans over to expose her breasts to tempt the Henreid character. After she leaves he's apparently so aroused that he gulps down a cup of water from the water dispenser, whose bubbles suggest his suppressed sexual arousal.
Moreno gives a first-rate performance.
It's hard to find a "B" movie with such superb direction and an almost flawless cast apart from the stereotypical acting necessary at times to comport with the stereotypical characters.