JohnHowardReid While some of Jane Greer's film work could justly be described as lackluster, a few of her performances can only be labeled downright inept. Worst of all was her attempt to recreate Mary Astor's girlfriend-of-the-wicked-prince in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's 1952 "The Prisoner of Zenda". Aside from the abysmal Jane, that re- make is actually quite entertaining. Most of the players take an infectious delight in sending the silly story up, but Jane flounders embarrassingly. How come? She once explained: "Mr Thorpe, the director, wanted me to repeat Mary Astor's interpretation. Every day, he had me study her performance on a movieola. That's why I was so bad. Never once did he let me know that the rest of the cast were playing tongue-in-cheek." Jane did redeem this lapse in a later, but now sadly neglected movie in which she played opposite Richard Widmark, "Run for the Sun" (1956). Jane turned in a taut, engrossing performance as an intelligent writer on assignment in Mexico. Her plane is forced down in the steamy jungle and she finds herself the prey of two sadistic madmen in this re- make of "The Most Dangerous Game". In an unusual, but effective piece of casting, the Leslie Banks role was played by Trevor Howard, the first of only three occasions in which he played a totally unsympathetic character on the big screen. (The others: Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty and Lord Cardigan in The Charge of the Light Brigade). Peter Van Eyck played Howard's accomplice in the hunt with his usual assurance, while director Roy Boulting handled the locations with plenty of skill. In a recent theatrical revival, the wide-screen print had audiences on the edges of their seats during the fast- paced climax.Aside from "Run for the Sun", "Out of the Past" and five or six other films, Jane Greer rarely acquired the roles she deserved. Twice under contract to Howard Hughes, she bought him out both times in an effort to find better parts. She was not overly successful. Partly because she was unable to come to terms with her somewhat frozen features and so-called "Mona Lisa smile" (the result of Bell's Palsy). Not exactly a face to frame either a glamour cutie or girl-next-door, but fascinating, interesting, enigmatic — admirably suited to her enduring screen personality of the hard, impassive, unfathomable, self- serving but alluringly irresistible femme fatale.A pity there were not a lot more roles of similar quality, but she did have a few. Although the world will always remember her Out of the Past, she did also have "The Big Steal" and "Run for the Sun".Born Bettejane Greer in Washington, D.C. on 9 September 1924, she died in semi-retirement at her Los Angeles home on Friday, 24 August 2001..

secondtake Run for the Sun (1956)This begins in Mexico, with a charming and warmly photographed encounter between a reclusive Hemingway-like novelist on the outs and a too-beautiful reporting trying to track him down. They have a series of interactions that establish both the man's independence and self-criticism (positive qualities) and the woman's weakening resolve, since she kind of likes the guy and doesn't want to blow his seclusion. He doesn't know what she's up to at first, and she just wants to give up and go home before he discovers her duplicity.But this is just a set-up so that the rest of the movie, the most dangerous game part, where the two are pursued through the jungle for a hour of exhaustion. Richard Widmark makes a convincing writer/adventurist out for himself, drowning in alcohol, and then surviving in the jungle. And surprisingly, Jane Greer, often something of an ornament in movies because she looks so good, is perfectly tough and (later) weary while still playing the female reporter a little out of her league. The two are also given time in the first scenes to develop a genuine understanding for each other, the basis for a growing affection. When thing get dire later and they cling to each other (this is no spoiler, surely), you expect and need it. Ostensibly (and officially, in the opening credits) this second half of the movie is based on the Richard Connell short story, "The Most Dangerous Game," though it's too far removed from the original to count. The core of the story is about a famous hunter becoming the prey to a slightly crazed man who loves to hunt the most dangerous of animals: humans. But this is not a twist of roles, or a matter of wanting to test a man's hunting skills against human prey. This is just about two innocents who learn something they shouldn't and have to run for their lives.Though the Connell story has a creepy originality to it, I rather like this movie more than either of the earlier adaptations (the 1932 "The Most Dangerous Game" and the 1945 "A Game of Death). Both of those are closer to the original, though both take the liberty of adding a woman to the story and the improbably and convenient outline of an unnecessary romance. "Run for the Sun" has morphed into something new, and better, the romance becoming central.Director Ray Boulting, who got his start making documentaries, gives the film a kind of British flavor (Connell was American), making the bad guy a twisted diplomat for Britain who went bad during WWII. The whole scenario in the Mexican jungle feels like that classic situation of a Brit somewhere far from London going native but bringing a little bit of England with him, with tea and good books and indigenous servants. In the end, the events are fairly straight forward, which is its largest flaw. The realistic filming of the chase (most of it is believable, both rugged and unsensational) compensates for the fact that you sort of know the outcome. A clever trick with a bullet near the end is a fun, almost James Bond, innovation. The glue, and the sugar, here is the acting, Widmark above all convincing both in his delivery and for his physical energy. Greer is just fine, though she's given little to do but respond, and get very very tired. It's her clever magnetic notepad holder that gets them in trouble, if you pay attention. The evil Mr. Browne? Played by a very British Trevor Howard to perfection. The filming is first rate, and it's no wonder with Joseph LaShelle behind the camera. He did some classic noirs, but then moved to a decade of terrific wide screen color films, including several with Billy Wilder. Here, the camera-work is really nice, and the color itself is truly striking and clean. Naturally, it's still top notch Technicolor and not one of the Kodak competitors which were still thin by comparison. And it's shot about 50 miles from Mexico City. The hacienda is beyond gorgeous.If you just approach this movie for what it is, a kind of less outrageous "African Queen" without the star power, it's a lot of well made fun. If you come into it expecting another "The Most Dangerous Game," you'll have to make some adjustments quickly.

samhill5215 It's hard for me to believe that this film has rated as low as it has. I found it an exciting, spellbinding and visually engrossing update of Richard Connell's short story "The Most Dagnerous Game". Having seen the original with Joel McCrea and Fay Wray this is clearly not a remake. The storyline is updated to a post WWII scenario replete with a British turncoat and Nazi fugitives in Mexico. But the basic concept of hunting down humans is intact. Both sides of the conflict are dealt with in an intelligent and even sensitive manner. The characters are all believable and their motives clearly enunciated. This is clearly not a simpleminded adventure but one dealing with complex human emotions. Much of the film's success is due to the three headliners, Richard Widmark, Trevor Howard and Jane Greer who perform admirably. All in all, highly recommended. Run out and get it, you'll spend a very enjoyable hour and a half.

rialto-1 An excellent movie,although recent t.v.showings seem to have been drastically cut! Richard Widmark is, as usual,very watchable. What a great actor. So natural. I really felt for his predicament as the angst-ridden writer. Jane Greer also;proof that career can come second to love! In fact the whole movie is very well cast, (I thought the use of the 'Haw Haw' character was very clever- Trevor Howard on top form!) and real 'edge of the seat'stuff. Maybe the demise of the dog might be a little off-putting to some, but at least it isn't gratuitous. Surely we do want the two characters to survive, after all that trekking through the jungle. Do try to catch this movie if you see it in the listings! Not available on DVD as far as I can ascertain. What a pity!