Slattery's Hurricane

I hardly recognized Veronica Lake when she first appeared. That short hair was a surprise! Too bad she had so little success beyond her first few successful films.

"Slattery's Hurricane" is a well polished black and white action film that does hold the viewer's interest. It's not a great film, nor even an exceptionally good one. Still, I would recommend it for a number of reasons. Widmark is good as always, and the location work and flying scenes are interesting. Also, at 87 minutes it is pretty well paced. I see in the cast that nearly half a dozen actors had their scenes deleted. That's a sign that the producers decided to tighten the film up a bit, and I think they probably were right in doing so.

As I said, it's worth a look, if only to see how Hollywood in the late 40s was breaking the bonds of the sound stages in which such a high percentage of movies were made prior to that time.

Richard Widmark flies into what becomes known as "Slattery's Hurricane" as he looks back on his life in this 1949 film. Directed by Andre de Toth, the film also stars Linda Darnell, John Russell and DeToth's wife, Veronica Lake.

Widmark plays Slattery, a former Navy man who, with his girlfriend Delores (Lake), works for drug smugglers. Slattery is unaware of this, though subconsciously he probably knows, but Delores, an addict, knows everything. (Delores' addiction is only hinted at.) When Slattery meets an old Navy friend, Hobbie (John Russell), he finds out that Hobbie married his former love, Aggie (Darnell). Though Delores is in love with Slattery, Slattery is still in love with Aggie and goes after her, not caring about Delores' feelings or Hobbie's marriage. When a hurricane hits, Hobbie is called in for pilot duty so he can get the hurricane coordinates, but he's too drunk to fly. Slattery takes his place, and while flying through the storm, looks at his mess of a life.

This isn't a particularly good film, but Richard Widmark does a great job, creating a fully fleshed-out character. It's impossible to believe that Lake, her signature haircut gone, was only 27 when this film was made. I would have guessed she was 40. Even with her husband directing the movie, she's not well photographed. It's a shame, because the petite actress was perfect for films, radiant, beautiful, with a great presence; no matter the role, she projected an intelligence and femininity. She just doesn't register here. The gorgeous Darnell has very little to do.

All in all, mediocre, but worth it for Widmark.

Why would Richard Widmark deliberately take his airplane and fly towards an incoming hurricane? Either he was trying to change his image from Kiss of Death and come across as a hero and romantic lead, or he needs the impending danger to reflect on his life choices. If you're a Widmark fan and would like to see him in a rare non-villainous role, this movie will be pretty entertaining for you. He'll have to choose between Veronica Lake and Linda Darnell, mend some friendships, and atone for some mistakes that hurt others. He has less than ninety minutes to do all that, so how will screenwriters Richard Murphy and Herman Wouk (who also wrote the original novel) make everything work out? Through flashbacks, of course.

Personally, the story isn't my favorite part of the movie. I'm in it for the eye candy. If you're looking for a better story, check out the same year's Down to the Sea in Ships. Dick is the second lead in that one, versus the title character in Slattery's Hurricane, but it will really have an impact on you. This movie is pretty much a romantic drama with a bit of suspense thrown in; after all, he is headed towards a hurricane.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Many of the airplane scenes are filmed with tilted camera angles, bumpy footage, or strobelights from lightening, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

What do you call a best friend who tries to steal your wife from you. He also has the Navy Cross (the equivalent of the Medal of Honor). He might have a medal for honor, but he really doesn't have much honor.

Anyway, this scumbag tries to redeem himself by flying into a hurricane. Brilliant.

Linda Darnell appears to be the woman of desire by both Widmark and some B actor. Sorry, I would prefer Veronica Lake anytime over Darnell (despite the most atrocious screen hair style ever given to an actress in the history of film. Please, my grandmother had a more current hair style than the one dreamed up by this stylist. It may have been a device to make Lake look less sexy (a hard thing to do). And if that was the case, then the ruse was successful. Anyway, a passable potboiler.

"Slattery's Hurricane" is not a particularly good film and is a rare career misfire for a young Richard Widmark. Oddly, the bizarre and unlikable plot was from a story by Herman Wouk--a very accomplished writer. Perhaps the screenplay completely botched his story...perhaps he just had a misfire.

Slattery (Widmark) is flying into a hurricane when the film begins. He then has a series of flashbacks that take up most of the rest of the film. It seems that after leaving active duty in the Navy, Slattery's made money flying charters. While he might be working for drug dealers, the money is good and Slattery asks no questions. Additionally, while he has a long-suffering girlfriend (Veronica Lake), he completely ignores her and begins chasing after a friend's wife!! All in all, he's a total jerk and only later, when receiving the Navy Cross (awarded for service during WWII--it was given to Slattery while he was in the Naval Reserves) does he start to reassess his life. But who cares?!

The film has many problems--the biggest of which is the blandness of most of the characters. Darnell cheats on her husband...but you know nothing more about her. Lake is a doormat and nothing more. And Slattery's 'friend' (John Russell) is also quite bland--which is odd considering he often had a commanding presence in films. Add to that that Slattery is thoroughly despicable, you really wonder why you're even watching this film in the first place!