Google
 

A Memorial Day Movie: Otto Preminger’s IN HARM’S WAY (1965)

May 26th, 2008 by Scott Marks

In honor of Memorial Day I spent the morning scanning my vast collection of stills from Otto Preminger’s austere war epic In Harm’s Way (1965).

Not only is it Otto’s personal best, it ranks in my top twenty all-time favorites. The fluid shot of a bruised and demoralized Rockwell P. Torry descending the gangplank while behind him sparks fly as seamen repair his equally battle-worn cruiser was burned is a perfect marriage of meaning and movement. As if Loyal Griggs’ stunning camera work isn’t enough there’s the added thrill when screenwriter Wendell Mayes smuggles the film’s title into a line of dialog. Rock turns to Paul and with a voice burdened by despair says, “A fast ship moving in harm’s way. A lousy situation, Commander Eddington.” I live for moments like this.

You also get to enjoy a Dana Andrews cameo (Otto took pity on Laura’s fallen star) and Kirk Douglas’ sublime slapdown of Patrick O’Neal in the latrine.

And don’t forget to stick around for Saul Bass’ astounding closing credit sequence. Though set on Pearl Harbor day, Bass consciously plays upon 1965 America’s fear of nuclear annihilation by adding a mushroom cloud to his punctuational epilogue.

One day I’ll pull out my copy and write at length about the film and all it’s cinematic glory. Until then, enjoy the pictures and the trailer.

Photos here.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Filed Under Image Blog