Steineded
How sad is this?
Intcatinfo
A Masterpiece!
Ella-May O'Brien
Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
krocheav
It isn't easy to write about this haunting film. Not sure I can say I've seen much else quite like it. In the early stages, it tends to look like one of those el-cheapo 'exploitation' films of the 50s (the type some 'modern' reviewers now try to glamorize) but the difference here, is this film tackles its difficult subject with far more integrity. The story concerning a soul dominated by the memory of a family hanging, and the heartless cruelty of those who bully and taunt him endlessly, is certainly at times hard to watch.Under the guidance of all time great Director Frank Borzage (AKF: 'The Mortal Storm' '40 ~ 'Three Comrades' '38 ~ and the now rare, 'Little Man What Now' '33) Borzage, on a small budget brings to life this brutal (and yet also strangely romantic) story of Danny Hawkins (superbly played by the underrated Dane Clark) with compelling narrative style. Director of Photography: Award winning John L. Russell, known for his eye popping visual style in such diverse classics as: 'Psycho' '60 ~ 'Beast from 20,000 Fathoms' '53 ~ 'Macbeth' '48, draws you into the mesmerizing images, even when you feel you don't want to go there. It seemed odd to see angelic Gail Russell in this offering, and the supporting cast are also a class act. Allyn Joslyn turns in a fine strait role as the understanding town Sheriff, with Harry Morgan convincing as a deaf mute. Ethel Barrymore is always superb, but we don't see enough of her regardless of a main billing. The star character role goes to Rex Ingram as Mose, a folk singing, dog breeding swamp dweller, who gives his dogs 'Mr' status because he feels "there's not enough dignity in the world". In light of his situation this is quite a powerful line indeed! The novel by Theodore Strauss is adapted to the screen with style by the film's Producer: Charles F. Haas. William Lavas' Music score helps with some menacing atmos as well as some tender notes (if of course it's all his music - hard to know with the wide use of library music in this era)Not one you might expect from Republic Pictures and not one that will please everyone, but if you enjoy off-beat psychological dramas take a look. The DVD is of quite reasonable quality. Recommended.
jarrodmcdonald-1
Moonrise is an excellent offering from director Frank Borzage. The atmospheric story stays with the viewer long after the movie ends. So do the incredible performances.Ethel Barrymore only appears at the end of Moonrise with about six minutes of screen time. Nonetheless, she makes a grand impression. But the star is Dane Clark (on loan from Warner Brothers) who does a marvelous job as Barrymore's fugitive grandson. But wouldn't this story have been better told if it had been about a young black man (as opposed to a young white man) whose father had been lynched years earlier? For that matter, a remake could very easily apply the concept to migrant Mexican laborers who are often denied justice due to illegal status and community suspicion.
bkoganbing
Frank Borzage was winding down his career when he made this item for Herbert J. Yates's Republic Picture. For Borzage this film is probably an afterthought, after all he made some great classic films like Three Comrades and The Mortal Storm for major studios like MGM and others. But what might be an afterthought for him, would be an acclaimed classic for most other directors.Moonrise is the story of a troubled young man played by Dane Clark who has been teased and bullied all his life because his father was hung for murder. A particular bully has been Lloyd Bridges who is the son of the town banker Harry Cheshire. What little we see of Bridges is that he's a real lout. At a social event Bridges starts again when they're outside and alone and in a fight where Bridges who is losing for the first time picks up a rock and goes after Clark who takes it away from him and kills Bridges with it. At first it's a missing person case and then its homicide when the body turns up. What to do for Clark who is not a criminal by nature. The rest of the film is a study of Clark and the troubled conscience he has.Moonrise has a frightening relevancy today when we are finally focusing on the issue of bullying. This film should be seen and seen again for the message it contains. Today the character played by Dane Clark as a teen might just be the perpetrator of a school massacre today.Gail Russell as the woman both Clark and Bridges were interested in and Ethel Barrymore as his grandmother are the ones who most influence Clark in the decision he must make. Such fine character players as Harry Morgan, Selena Royle, Clem Bevans, Rex Ingram are all in this film giving it a nice rural touch as it does take place in the rural South. Best of all is Allyn Joslin who plays a philosophical sheriff very much along the lines of Theodore Bikel in The Defiant Ones.This film could very well be Dane Clark's signature role in a career that never quite brought him superstardom. You'll not forget his performance and how so many emotions register on screen with a troubled soul.
edwagreen
Dane Clark shines in the part made for Montgomery Clift or John Garfield.When his father killed the town doctor for misdiagnosing his wife's illness and was hung for it, his young son was taunted about the killing in a small southern town for years and years later following the tragedy.He is finally literally driven to murder when the taunting continues as a young adult. Of course, he kills the guy who loved the girl he was after.Allyn Joslyn shines as the law officer with a heart. You really feel at picture's end that Clark will beat the rap.As his loving grandmother, Ethel Barrymore is her usual terrific self with that esteemed craggy voice.Conservatives will bristle at this picture since a killing is a killing. However, the film is done with heart and vivid emotion.
