arthur_tafero You want dark? It doesn't get much darker than this. Director Borzage seems to live for shadows and darkness in this Ozark thriller. A son of a murderer thinks he has bad genes (blood), but its all in his head. After killing Lloyd Bridges in self-defense, he goes about trying to figure out what he should do next. Dane Clark, who must be related to Clark Kent, because he is in a serious car wreak, jumps off a ferris wheel and is chased by a pack of hounds without a scratch from any of them. Even Clark Kent would have trouble doing that, Harry Morgan does a good job as well as Billy, a deaf and dumb simpleton, who finds Clark's knife at the scene of the death. Will he get parole with good behavior? Or will he hang like his daddy? Tune in for the exciting conclusion. Recommended.

Alex da Silva Dane Clark (Danny) is an outcast in the town where he has grown up. He's been constantly teased, bullied, beaten up and he still lives there! Now add the peculiar decision to make him quite a confrontational, aggressive individual and things make absolutely no sense as to why he has still stuck around in the town. The film doesn't ring true right from the outset. He's also a thoroughly unpleasant character and so it is impossible to get on his side, no matter how hard you try. Why on earth would local girl Gail Russell (Gilly) have any interest in him? No idea. But she falls in love with him when he forces himself upon her. What is this total nonsense! The film rolls along with impossibly false situations like this over and over again. Another example is when Dane pays a visit to the village simpleton Harry Morgan (Billy) who has found Dane's knife near the scene of a murder. The question to ask is where was the knife found. It's obvious. But Dane goes round and attacks the guy instead. Who wrote this rubbish? Yet another example is the ferris wheel ride where Dane's actions once again defy belief.You watch the film to find out what will happen so its ok on that front but there is some confused moralizing. The ending reminded me a bit of the Defiant Ones (1958) when Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier wait to be caught by the sheriff's dogs and go off back to jail with a smile on their faces. Only in that film, the message is more powerful and more emotional as you actually care for the two leads and the film succeeds in putting the viewer on their side whilst they are on the run. This offering just doesn't hit the mark.Allyn Joslyn makes a nice sheriff, Ethel Barrymore is rather ridiculously given 3rd billing for appearing briefly right at the end as Dane's grandmother. She does ok here but Dane plays the lead character completely wrong. In reality, he would have gone straight to the police at the beginning of the film given that it is such a small town.

dw-28871 I viewed MOONRISE almost by accident on YouTube. As the movie unfolded I became drawn into the story and not only watched it to the end, but also viewed it several more times over the next few days, because the story and its characters had so grabbed my imagination. The gritty atmosphere and believable setting is convincingly brought to life on screen by the superb direction of Frank Borzage. Every character in this story is well acted and realistically portrayed. Stand out characters wonderfully brought to life are the wise all- knowing Mose (Rex Ingram); the "simple man" Sheriff Clem Otis (Allyn Joslyn), with big heart and deep understanding; the matriarch, conscience and good common sense of the Hawkins family, Grandma (Ethel Barrymore); and a sympathetic, realistic portrayal of mentally challenged deaf-mute Billy Scripture (Harry Morgan). Dane Clark, an excellent character actor I well remember from movies and TV of the 1950's, 60's and 70's, brilliantly brings troubled, tormented Danny Hawkins to life. The viewer feels Danny's inner turmoil in every subtle tightened fist, jaw clench, angry breath or glare by Dane Clark. Clark wisely underplays the drama of Danny's troubles, yet subtly keeps the inner turmoil simmering under the surface so that the viewer is constantly aware. What makes MOONRISE work, rise far above the pack, and the heart and soul of the movie, is the schoolteacher Gilly Johnson (Gail Russell). In Gilly, Gail Russell gives the audience a character they instinctively like and whose judgment the audience trusts. If Gilly sees value and worth in Danny, the audience trusts her and gives Danny another chance. Gail Russell is often described as a troubled, mediocre actress, I suspect by those who have seen very little of her work. The evidence of MOONRISE suggests Gail Russell is a very fine natural actress, with a clear star quality that makes her the center of any scene she is in, the eyes of the audience following her anytime she is on screen. As Gilly, Gail Russell creates some very touching and sweet moments: *in the ferris wheel at the fair, after Danny's story of hurt and pain as a young boy, she leans over and hugs him like a schoolteacher comforting an angry, confused, hurt little boy; *meeting Danny alone at the run-down mansion, Gilly creates a Civil War ballroom dance for her and Danny to attend; *Gilly defends and describes the real character of Danny to the Sheriff.When exploring old movies, most will be "OK, but nothing special", some will be "so bad as to forget", but at times a true gem will be uncovered. MOONRISE is such a gem. A gritty realistic tale, brilliantly directed, populated with memorable characters superbly brought to life by a superb cast. MOONRISE is a keeper, and a great story that will easily stand viewing again from time-to-time.

preppy-3 Danny Hawkins (Dane Clark) is a very angry young man. His father was hung for murder and he was taunted about it for years by other children. Now he's in his 20s and angry. He accidentally kills a man during a fight over a girl they both love (Gail Russell). He gets scared and hides the body...but the guilt eats away at him.The first part of this is great. The direction is assured and there are some incredibly beautiful shots. It has an appropriately gloomy atmosphere and Clark is very good in his role. It all leads up to a truly incredible scene on a Ferris wheel...then the movie falls to pieces. It comes to a screeching halt with people talking again and again and AGAIN about the same subject. The acting, direction and cinematography remain good but the script just gets repetitious. So, all in all, it IS a good movie but drags towards the end. I can only give this a 5.