Full of double crosses and deceit, Crosswinds centers on a search for gold. However, does it really? I wouldn't have really known it was an "adventure" flick, since the romance was much more compelling. John Payne and Rhonda Fleming are great together, and she gives him such moony eyes, it's enough to make him forget all about Maureen O'Hara! It's love at first sight for Rhonda, and as soon as she sees John exert his manliness by punching out her luncheon companion, she comes on pretty strong. She comes over to his houseboat late at night and asks if she can stay, and in the morning she's breathless around him - even before they go for a spontaneous swim in the ocean.
Both stars show off their bods in this movie, so if you're in it for the beef- or cheese-cake, you won't be disappointed. There's literally a scene where John rips his shirt off while in the middle of a conversation for no reason. It's very funny, but hopefully he was a good sport about it. Hopefully he and Rhonda knew this wasn't going to be the next Gone With the Wind. Although, Rhonda really put her heart into the role. I've always liked her, but I've known she wasn't a wonderful actress. Perhaps she got along really well with John Payne, or perhaps she responded to Lewis Foster's direction, but she seemed to be the only cast member who actually acted. I'm looking forward to seeing her other three movies with John, to see if they maintain their chemistry.
