SECOND CHANCE
US, 1953, 82 minutes, Colour.
Robert Mitchum, Linda Darnell, Jack Palance.
Directed by Rudolph Mate.
Second Chance is a B-budget thriller which is entirely predictable, but enjoyable on its own level nonetheless. Set in a Latin American country. it focuses on a boxing champ (who has killed someone with his strong right fist), a glamorous ex-girlfriend of a gangster who is wanted too for testifying in the United States and one of the gangster's henchmen. As embodied by Robert Mitchum, Linda Darnell and Jack Palance, the film is effective with its stars. After the predictable interactions, the cast is assembled on a cable car which has had only two disasters - and, of course, is about to have its third. It anticipates the disaster films so popular in the '70s. There are the usual heroics and romantics. The film was directed by former photographer Rudolph Mate who specialised in small thrillers and action films in the '50s.
1. Entertaining B-budget thriller? Drama and romance? The presence of the stars?
2. Black and white photography, Latin American atmosphere, the town, the mountains? Musical score?
3. The title and its reference to each of the characters?
4. Claire and her presence in Latin America. the ex-girlfriend of the gangster, her being wanted for courts in the U.S.? Her wanting to get out of the town, being pursued by Vic's henchman? Her attraction towards Russ? Meeting him? Pretences? Their going to the mountain together? Romantic? The henchman's jealousy? The fight on the way back, the breaking of the cable, her handling the crisis? The final fight? Romance? Linda Darnell's presence and style?
5. Russ as champion boxer, on tour, his caution about his right fist? His manager? The fights? Attraction towards Claire? Her betting and his winning? Buying back her earrings? The date? The truth? Going to the mountain, the romance, the return? His heroics on the rope, getting help? The fights with the henchman? Happy ending?
6. Jack Palance as the henchman, his following the man at the beginning and shooting him? Chasing Claire through the town? His obsession and jealousy? Antagonism towards Russ? Meeting him? Following Russ and Claire? His behaviour on the cable car, fright, brutality, shooting the policeman, the final fight and his death?
7. The usual characters in this kind of film ranging from the barman who took the bets? The manager of the cable car with his heroism? The passengers on the cable car - father who was jealous with his dancing wife and killed her, his young son; the romantic couple, the elderly English couple, the police officer? The manager of the hotel and his friendship with Russ and Claire? A credible gallery of characters?
8. Latin American atmosphere, melodrama and romance?
