Saturday, 18 September 2021 19:38

Soldier of Fortune





SOLDIER OF FORTUNE

US, 1955, 95 minutes, Colour.
Clark Gable, Susan Hayward, Michael Rennie, Gene Barry.
Directed by Edward Dmytryk.

Soldier of Fortune is a colourful adventure story with the good teaming of Clark Gable and Susan Hayward. Filmed in Cinemascope very attractively in Hong Kong, it portrays a great deal of local flavour and atmosphere. The screenplay was written by popular novelist Ernest Gann, the author of the High and the Mighty, from his own novel. The film reflects the attitudes of America towards China - suspicion in the early 50s. The film was directed by Edward Dmytryk, one of the "Hollywood Ten". Popular enjoyable adventure.

1. The appeal of this kind of popular romatic adventure? Audience identification, interest, fantasy? A blending of fantasy with authentic atmosphere?

2. The use of colour, cinemascope, the great detailed portrayal of Hong Kong,its environment, beauty, atmosphere, poverty and wealth, the sea, nearness to China? The background and environment for this kind of adventure story?

3. The significance of the title, Jane's reference to it in a discussion with Hank? Audience expectations about Hank before seeing him? The descriptions of him as a gangster? The Clark Gable type of herO?

4. The film focused initially on Jane. Susan Hayward's style and presence, her arrival on the ship, rejection of help? The strong American woman, romantic, her ideas about marriage, her quest for her husband, complete dedication to this? Independence? loyalty? An American heroine?

5. The portrait of Hong Kong in the 50s, the various types, e.g. the people in the bar, the exchange of money and bribery, the proximity of China and the refugees from China, the raids, e.g. that on the Macao ferry, dangers? The wealthy, refugees like Hank who made their fortune in Hong Kong? The British police? An international melting pot?

6. The themes of China, the takeover by the Communists and the repercussions in the early 50s, fears? The closing of China and the refugees? Imprisonment? The Cold War and the suspicision of foreign photographers? Pictures of torture? The sayings about China and its age-old civilisation and what was happening to it in the 50s? Authentic? In retrospect?

7. How credible was the basic situation? Jane and her quest for her husband? The encounter with the police? The nature of her search and the contacts that she made throughout Hong Kong? Her being thrown out of the bar? The help from Rene? The seeming futility of getting information?

8. The initial encounter with Hank, her understanding of his reputation, her trying to seek him out and the help from the Chinese woman? Her initial impressions of him at home, the portrayal of him and the relationship with the children, his explanation of their background? Dinner and his advance on her and the kissing and her reaction? Her harsh words towards him? The inevitability of her having to depend on him? The build-up of a credible emotional conflict? His contacts, reputation, the effect that he had on people, the speed for contacts and information from the mainland, his tough attitudes, his decision to rescue Hoyt? The raid itself, the rescuing of Jane, the use of the gun that he had stolen, the kidnapping of the inspector and getting his help, the loyalty of his friends with their protective junks? A genial kind of hero?

9. The effect of Jane on Hank? Interest, concern, previous background of love, wariness of marriage? The American alienated from home - and the irony of his record of the Chicago traffic? His warning for Jane not to act independently and his reaction to her capture over in Macao? (jane in her naivety in thinking that she would be helped, her giving of the cheque, imprisonment?) The romantic aspects of the rescue?

10. The portrait of the bar-flies giving an atmosphere of Hong Kong, Rene and his alcoholismp the minister and his playing the piano, performing the ceremony, the faded dancer and her admirer, the marriage? The similar atmosphere in Macao with the gambling?

11. The contrast with supporter Louis Hoyt? Seeing him in prison, the interrogation, his character and wandering about, his aims and hopes? The kinds of torture, especially with the photo of Jane and Hank? His reaction to being rescued? His awareness of the relationship? His decision about his own future and being an adventurer? Letting Jane go? How credible was this? Jane's return to Hank - and the picturesque setting of their reunion? Her statement about always loving Louis?

12. The background of political comment, international situation?

13. American heroics, heroes and heroines, action? The contrast with the portrait of the inspector and his British tone and style, the letter of the law?

14. A satisfying adventure fantasy romance?

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