Despite its intriguing title, this is a very talkie and very dated stage play that is calculated to bore most audiences stiff. And the complete absence of women doesn't help matters at all! With the exceptions of Clark Gable and Walter Pidgeon, the actors walk through their parts without much conviction. In fact, although Pidgeon has to carry the main burden of the circular dialogue, he bears up well. We must also draw attention to John McIntire. In addition to his role as Major Belding Davis, he also provides the off-camera voice of Congressman Malcolm, played and spoken (on camera) by Edward Arnold.
The direction by the usually very capable Sam Wood is astonishingly stiff. He died on September 22, 1949, yet is also credited with "The Stratton Stor"y (released June, 1949) and "Ambush" (January 1950). Production values are generally first class, and there are some skillful special effects, but they do little to relieve the overall tedium.
The direction by the usually very capable Sam Wood is astonishingly stiff. He died on September 22, 1949, yet is also credited with "The Stratton Stor"y (released June, 1949) and "Ambush" (January 1950). Production values are generally first class, and there are some skillful special effects, but they do little to relieve the overall tedium.