FOXFIRE
US, 1955, 87 minutes, Colour.
Jane Russell, Jeff Chandler, Dan Duryea, Mara Corday, Barton Mac Lane, Freda Inescourt, Celia Lovsky.
Directed by Joseph Pevney.
Foxfire is a routine Universal glossy entertainment from the mid-1950s. Universal had carved out a niche for itself with small but effective westerns, especially starring Audie Murphy, and had begun to make more elaborate soap operas and dramas, especially with Douglas Sirk and Magnificent Obsession.
Time has not been kind to Foxfire. Jane Russell and Jeff Chandler do not seem to appear to be the greatest actors that ever were. Jane Russell had a following after the notoriety of The Outlaw and some of her earlier films but had proven herself a good comedienne with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She was to star in a number of popular films at this stage: The Tall Men, The Revolt of Mamie Stover, Underwater, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes. Jeff Chandler had also emerged as a star from smaller-budget films like The Iron Man to his breakthrough role as Cochise in Broken Arrow. Dan Duryea was a regular villain in many films – though is more sympathetic here. There is an interesting cameo from Austrian-born Celia Lovsky as an Indian princess.
Director Joseph Pevney made a number of the smaller-budget films at Universal but moved to bigger-budget films like Away All Boats with Jeff Chandler.
The film focuses on mining in Arizona. The significant theme is racism, especially towards Indians. Jane Russell’s character early in the piece makes some deprecating remarks about Indians and soon has to change her words. The film shows the prejudice of snooty whites in Arizona, despising the culture and standards of living of the Indians. Jeff Chandler’s character is part-Indian – and makes a plea for understanding and collaboration.
The expected romance is there, the noble sentiments, some heroics.
1.A popular entertainment of the 1950s? The stars? Glossy style? Issues?
2.The Arizona settings, the mountains, the remote towns, the Indian settlements? Authentic? Colourful? The musical score – and the Mancini opening song?
3.The title, the credits and the light in the sky, the light from the mountains, the gold, the Foxfire Mining Company?
4.The focus on Amanda, the breakdown, her walking along the highway, the encounter with the Indians and the joking way about talking of not having a jack? The encounter with Dart and Hugh? Talking with them? The lift, her inviting them to the dance? Hugh and the attraction? Dart and his being late, shy, cunning? The immediate romance – how credible?
5.Dart, his background at the mine, engineer, Hugh as the doctor, his drinking? Maria as the nurse at the hospital? The work of the mine, Mablert and his scorning of the Indians? Tyson and his overall running of the company?
6.Amanda, her mother, wealth, New York, the paper? Wanting to get Amanda away? Consenting to the marriage? The marriage ceremony, the friends, the people from the mine? Princess Saba and her absence? The beginning of married life? Amanda, bringing the lunch, going to the mine, superstitions about women, the accident? Mrs Mablert and her visit, her scornful statements about the Indians?
7.The mine, Dart and his work? Hugh and his giving up the drink, attracted to Amanda, the comments by Maria? Her Indian background? Past relationship with Dart? Drinking with him and suggesting that Amanda had gone with Hugh?
8.Amanda’s visit to the Indian settlement, the tourists, the bus driver and his advances, listening to Princess Saba, the austere culture of the Indians, separation of children, not weeping? The moving presence of Princess Saba, memories of her husband? Love for her son?
9.The clash between Amanda and Dart, his not being able to express himself? Her going to hospital, Hugh looking after her? Her pregnancy? Her leaving, at the resort with Hugh, her spurning Dart?
10.The Indians at the mine, Mablert and his scorn, Tyson and his encouragement, the Indians going in, the collapse of the roof, the finding of the gold? The fulfilment of all hopes for everyone?
11.Dart, his return to Amanda, his burned hands, calling for her help, her arrival, decision to stay?
12.1950s Hollywood romance and happy ending?
