SON OF FURY
US, 1942, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, George Sanders, Frances Farmer, Elsa Lanchester, Kay Johnson, John Carradine, Harry Davenport, Roddy McDowall?.
Directed by John Cromwell.
An old-fashioned costume melodrama done with lavish 20th Century Fox style in the early forties. Tyrone Power at the height of his popularity, performed in many of these, for example, Blood And Sand, The Mark Of Zorro. Gene Tierney was at the beginning of a successful career. There is an excellent supporting cast with George Sanders at his most articulate and sneeringly villainous, a warm portrayal of an old man by Harry Davenport. However, there are stand out performances in vignettes by Elsa Lanchester as a hotel maid and Dudley Digges as the wily Benjamin Pratt.
The screenplay is by Philip Dunne, writer of many costume romances and director of such films as Prince Of Players. The direction is by John Cromwell, veteran director, with such a range of credits as The Prisoner Of Zenda, Anna And The King Of Siam, Caged, The Goddess. This is the popular material of costume dramas and mini series in the succeeding decades.
1. A satisfying costume melodrama? The material of the best-seller? Its universal appeal? Expectations and quality fulfilment?
2. Black and white photography, Fox production values, London in the 18th century, the South Seas? Sea drama? How well did the film recreate the 18th century? The contribution of Alfred Newman's score with its various historical themes, romantic themes, South Sea Island melodies?
3. The autobiography structure, the various chapters? The focus on Blake and his growing up and achievement? Injustice and justice being done?
4. The portrait of aristocratic families at the time, the contrast with poor families, poverty and prison? Seafaring in the 18th century? The idealising of 18th century islands and the beauty of the South Seas?
5. The emphasis of the title, the opening and closing with fierce boxing matches, anger and danger?
6. The introduction to Sir Arthur? his boxing and strength, his detection of Benjamin and taking him from his grandfather, putting him in bondage and humiliating him? His relationship with his wife and the giving of information against him to Benjamin? His spoiling Iobell? His later cruelty? His arresting Benjamin on his return, the court case? Isobel's betrayal and his wanting to use this against her? The archetypal villain - of good manner? Isobel taking after her father, her passionate love for Benjamin and the blacksmith sequence and her not going on the hunt? her pledge of fidelity? her welcoming him back, her betrayal? her giving herself away?
7. The contrast with Ben ? his family background, the injustice done to him, his work with Amos Kidder and his love for him? The humiliation and running away from his uncle? The hard work, the humiliations? Growing strong and angry? The attack on Sir Arthur and the assault in his room? His decision to leave? Tyrone Power as this kind of romantic hero?
8. His eluding the police and the interlude at the hotel with Isobel? The strong characterisation by Elsa Lanchester - tender, helpful, her explanation of herself, her going arm-in-arm down the street with him?
9. Conventional 18th century sea material Caleb and the placing of the magnet, the discovery of the island, the search for pearls? The confrontation with the islanders and Ben's lashed back? His contribution, the making of tools? The playful idyllic interlude with Eve and his love for her, teaching her English? His yearning for return? the derelict ship? her not holding him back when he left?
10. The interview with Benjamin Pratt, the comic type, greed, wiliness? The effectiveness of the discussion? The last moment intervention by Pratt in the court?
11. The sketch of Amos Kidder, his love for his grandson, going to prison after firing the shot, the visit in prison?
12. Isobel and Ben's capture? His standing trial in court and the revelation of her betrayal?
13. Ben's behaviour in the court, the sentence, the judge's comments about justice, his vindication?
14. The final clash with Arthur verbal, by fists?
15. The return to the South Seas with wealth and happiness? The conventional happy ending?
16. The underlying social comment of the film - class differences in the 18th century, oppression and poverty, bondsmen and humiliation? The sense of equality? The comments of the judge at the court? The relationships with the islanders of the South Seas? equality rather than racism? A satisfying costume melodrama?
