Five years after the advent of the sound era, Tay Garnett directed this B-film. It's about heat getting to a French officer after his wife joins him as he heads a remote jungle penal colony.
There's nothing special about this, except for an uncommonly fine cast. Melvyn Douglas, selected to replace a deceased actor, is a genuine talent who brought power and authority to everything he did. Whether heavy drama or light comedy, Douglas always shines.
Ann Harding, looking old for her young years, is quite adequate as the wife and Adolphe Menjou is his usual solid self. Director Garnett's deliberate pacing and camera work seem rather self conscious, yet it's clear Tay's trying to make a good film.
Unfortunately, the script lets everyone down a bit, and the ending looks like the writers didn't exactly know what to do. All in all, a fair film, peopled with actors whose work is worth watching.
There's nothing special about this, except for an uncommonly fine cast. Melvyn Douglas, selected to replace a deceased actor, is a genuine talent who brought power and authority to everything he did. Whether heavy drama or light comedy, Douglas always shines.
Ann Harding, looking old for her young years, is quite adequate as the wife and Adolphe Menjou is his usual solid self. Director Garnett's deliberate pacing and camera work seem rather self conscious, yet it's clear Tay's trying to make a good film.
Unfortunately, the script lets everyone down a bit, and the ending looks like the writers didn't exactly know what to do. All in all, a fair film, peopled with actors whose work is worth watching.