VIOLENT SATURDAY
US, 1955, 90 minutes, Colour.
Victor Mature, Richard Egan, Stephen Mc Nally, Tommy Noonan, Lee Marvin, Sylvia Sidney.
Directed by Richard Fleischer.
A well made thriller, taut in its action sequences, interspersed with lengthy domestic scenes which are, however, well perceived.
It was one of the earlier Cinemascope films. Direction is by Richard Fleischer, who at this time made Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing. He was to be a successful director during the sixties and seventies. Victor Mature is very good in the solid central role and there are interesting supporting performances by Richard Egan, Stephen Mc Nally, J. Carrol Naish and Lee Marvin as the robbers and Ernest Borgnine as an Amish farmer. There are many issues well presented in Violent Saturday.
1. The appeal of the robbery thriller, authenticity, the American town setting, action, heroism of the ordinary man? The possibility of this kind of violent Saturday in most settings?
2. The contribution of colour, Cinemascope, the musical score? The atmosphere in the town especially in the credit sequences, the quarrying, the streets and the people, the bank, the country club? The presentation of the action sequences and the violence? Blended for a satisfying thriller?
3. The significance and tone of the title - the explosion at the start? How well did the film use its structure: the quarry and the life of tire town, the arrival of each of the robbers punctuated by life in the town, their looking over the bank and the town and the farms, the interspersing of the introduction of the characters of the town at home and at work? The editing for blending all these aspects into a satisfying drama, bringing all the issues together in the final sequences at the Amish farm?
4. How well delineated were the robbers themselves? Each character and the emphasis on his arrival, the particular chararacteristics, for example, the smooth travelling salesman, the nervous and sick criminal with his nose inhaler, the suave older heartless criminal who nevertheless gave sweets to the children? Their skilI in perceiving the town itself, the bank, their plan of action, the film’s detailing the plan, the timing, the taking of the car, the preparations with the truck? How well performed was the robbery? The sudden movement, and the violence even to death? The transition to the shoot-out and the crisis and their behaviour, their deaths? How credible as bank robbers? A feel for the bank robbery?
5. The contrast with Shelley and his work? His skill at the quarry, his explanation of his work during the war? Mr Fairchild and the contrast with Boyd? His talking over issues with Boyd? The scenes with his family, love for his wife, the problem with Stevie and the question of heroism, Bobby? His handling of the situation with Stevie especially the goodnight talk? His handling of his child’s problem? The irony of his wife being in the bank, Bobby and the sweets? How well prepared was he for the confrontation with the robbers, the taking of the car, his being in the barn, his getting loose, his advice to the Amish brethren and guiding them? the violence. the shooting of two of the robbers, his death being possible unless the Amish farmer acted? The scene with the boys at the end and the nature of heroism? Victor Mature’s handling of this heroic role?
6. The contrast with Boyd and his relationship with his father, reacting against him, drinking, his reaction to Linda and dancing with her and proposing while drunk, the clash with Emily and the nature of their marriage, the reconciliation and the hope for a trip and a child? The irony of Emily being killed as she went to help Reeves? His reflections on her death and the suddenness of death and its meaninglessness, his tears? The credibility of his future with Linda? How well delineated a conventional character?
7. The portrait of Mr Reeyes - at the bank, at the bar, his looking at Linda, the scene of his walking the dog, the confrontation with Elsie? Being shot in the bank and the occasion of his confession and Linda's reaction, the lesson to be learnt? How well sketched his character and problem?
8. Linda, at the club, bringing Boyd home and the confrontation with Emily, being looked at by Mr Reeves, her comments to him in the hospital, support of Boyd?
9. The integration of the Amish family into the plot: on the train, and the explanation of non-violence, their quaint manner, the robbers asking for an explanation? Their religious beliefs and these being confronted by violence? Their hospitality to the robber when he was casing their farm? The violence and being tied up? The boy being shot and the farmer with his problem, his use of the pitchfork and asking God’s forgiveness? How credible a family?
10. The portrait of EIsie, her place in the town, stealing? The confrontation with Mr Reeves?
11. The aspects of the town’s life, the quarry, the explosions, the copper, the trains, contracts? Authentic detail for the credibility of the plot?
12. The portraits of American families, ideals, problems?
13. The way the film suggested tensions, Emily and the confrontation with GiI at the golf club, phone calls and reactions? The nightclub scene and Boyd dancing with Linda, being eyed off by the robber, Mr Reeves? tensions and- unhappiness in the town?
14. How satisfying a thriller, insight into human nature?
