DESERT FURY

US, 1947, 96 minutes, Colour.
John Hodiak, Lizabeth Scott, Burt Lancaster, Wendell Corey, Mary Astor.
Directed by Lewis Allen.

Desert Fury sounds like an Arabian adventure. Rather, it is a film noir of the late 40s. However, it is photographed in bright colour and has a sumptuous Miklos Rosza score. It is a star vehicle for John Hodiak and Lizabeth Scott. It was Burt Lancaster's second film and introduces Wendell Corey (in a completely unsympathetic role). There is also a strong performance by Mary Astor. The film is a rather heated melodrama, a triangle story - from a different perspective (though in the vein of Gilda with Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, George Macready).

John Hodiak is a gangster who lives and works with the sinister Johnny played by Wendell Corey. Bendix seems to fall in love with spoilt girl Paula - to Johnny's jealousy. The film works itself out in the interactions of the characters in a desert town (with casino and gambling background). Burt Lancaster is the honest cop - who walks the heroine into the sunrise at the end. While the film is quite contrived, it is one of those lively American thrillers that work very well while on screen. It was directed by Lewis Allan, director of such films as The Unseen and So Evil My Love.

1. Entertaining American thriller? Film Noir of the late 40s?

2. Desert locations, lavish colour photography? The lavish musical score? The stars?

3. The title, the focus on the characters and their interactions?

4. The focus on Eddy Bendix: John Hodiak's presence and style, grim personality, success as a gangster - but all the time the puppet of Johnny? The initial ride, the bridge, the encounter with Paula? His not being welcome in town? The clashes with Fritzie? Going out to the ranch? Lying low, business deals? His attraction towards Paula, the possibility of falling in love - or his using her? His telling the story of his relationship with Johnny, Times Square, going home with him, living with him, Johnny the brains behind his lifestyle, his facade of the successful gangster? The truth about his brutality, the relationship with Angela, Johnny persuading Bendix to kill her? The clash with Tom? The discussions with Paula, the possibility of leaving? Getting in the car, Johnny stopping them, going to the cafe, Johnny telling the truth? Provoking Bendix and his killing Johnny? Paula's disgust, his pursuit in the car, going to the bridge again? His death? Eddy Bendix as a well groomed mask?

5. Johnny, sinister, the brains behind Ed? The history of their relationship? Johnny taking care of Ed, keeping house? Controlling his actions - even to murder? His jealousy of Paula, spurning her? His interactions with Fritzie? At home, his sardonic remarks? Not wanting to be left in the desert, going with the couple in the car, the truth in the diner? His death?

6. Paula and her return from school, unable to settle down, being snubbed by the people in the town? Her tempestuous relationship with her mother? Calling her mother, Fritzie? Their fights? The wealth, the background of the gambling? Her absent father? Her love for Tom, comfortable in his company? Her mother arranging the marriage and Tom's telling the truth? The attraction to Ed, giving him a lift, (going to visit him)? The decision to run away? With him, with Johnny? Hearing the truth, her disgust, fleeing from him? Being rescued by Tom? Reconciliation with her mother? A future? The story of spoilt girl, her uncertainties, pressures, having to choose?

7. Tom, the earnest policeman, his skill at the rodeo, his injuries? Pat giving him the job? Work in the town, discussions with Fritzie, his directness about the arranged marriage? Still keeping friends with Fritzie? Love for Paula, warning her against Bendix? On the road, rescuing her at the end - and the happy ending?

8. Fritzie and Mary Astor's tough style, her story in New Jersey, her husband, dealings, with the mob, with Eddie Bendix? In the west, success in the town, snubbed by the people? Pat doing her will and her whims? Clashes with her daughter? Running of the Casino, arranging the marriage with Tom? His thwarting her plan? Paula a going off? Her being on the bridge at the end? The reconciliation?

9. The people of the town, Pat as the sheriff and his being under Fritzie's thumb? His wife and daughter snubbing Paula? The people in the Casino? an American town in the 40s?

10. The interactions of the characters, the focus on character and motivation, close ups in intensity and interaction? The contrived plot? The background of gangsters and crime? The American values?