The View from Pompey's Head

In 1955 when this early CinemaScope film was released and came to the Tucson Fox Theater, I was thirteen years old and I recall vividly sitting entranced in the large movie house utterly captivated by Richard Egan and Dana Wynter, who have to be one of the most stunning couples ever to grace the silver screen. Talk about perfect casting. The director, John Dunne, certainly had an eye for putting together the perfect male/female combo, with Egan's rugged tanned looks and Wynter's porcelain skin and breathtaking beauty, what's not to like! The story took backseat to the CinemaScope spectacle of Egan and Wynter and although not a complete disaster, the story, thankfully, never got in the way of Egan and Wynter. But it was interesting enough to keep me going and the nice thing about having the DVD is that I could take breaks which actually helped make the film move a bit more quickly.

I found this movie in the UK. It is UK named "Secret Interlude" I have ordered it in 8MM and will transpose to CD. This is a movie made in Brunswick, Georgia with Richard Egan. My Father was in the movie and it is the only real live memory of my Dad. He passed when I was a baby.

I cannot wait to get it, it has scenes from St. Simons Island, GA and Jekyll Island, GA, Brunswick, GA. Also featuring the old Oglethorpe Hotel Built in 1888 and destroyed in 1959.

Anyone interested, email me.......ED Floyd

Married New York City lawyer with Southern roots returns to his hometown in Georgia strictly on business, managing to dig up secrets from the past as well as rekindling a distant romance. Despite some flashbacks near the beginning, a lean and straightforward adaptation of Hamilton Basso's book (its inelegant title changed to "Secret Interlude" overseas). The film manages to skirt overwrought melodrama with help from a literate screenplay by Philip Dunne, who also directed. However, with themes of interracial relations and extra-marital intimacy, the picture really shouldn't be so plodding. The performers are well-cast (and their divergent accents aren't a big distraction), but the blaring music by Elmer Bernstein seeks out more intensity on the screen than what we're getting, especially during the romantic clinches. Handsome film is well-produced, yet the plot is merely routine. ** from ****

After several attempts at watching blurry copies, I finally found a decent copy with satisfactory sound and was then able to view the entire film. I found this film to be quite absorbing and beautiful. The performances were very convincing. Richard Egan as usual is a very powerful and engrossing presence here always balancing restraint and erotic tension. Dana Wynter is lovely but could have been more impetuous. I read that Jean Simmons was considered for the Dana Wynter role. Perhaps she would have added that fiery impetuousness that was lacking in Ms. Wynter's performance. The acting accolades go to Marjorie Rambeau who was truly commanding in every scene. Sidney Blackner and Cameron Mitchell contribute very strong performances as well. Visually, the production is stunning. The colours, light, shadows and scenery were extremely lush and well thought out. The farewell scene at the train station for me ranks as one of the most beautiful "train station" scenes ever, along with " A Man and a Woman", "Love in the Afternoon" and dare I say, "Brief Encounter." It is unfortunate that a fully and meticulously restored version of this film is still unavailable. I can only imagine what the experience of watching this film must be like on the big screen. I should also not neglect to mention Elmer Bernstein's sweeping music score and moving love theme.

I saw this movie when I was 11 years old. It was a love story that has never left me. When Dana Wynter says, "Oh Sonny, I loved you so," I just cried and cried. I felt then, I would have some sort of sadness in my love life and later on, I did!