Surviving a Shipwreck with Tallulah Bankhead!
Hitchcock summarizes the feelings of the public during World War II in one boat.
Alfred Hitchcock’s wartime suspense thriller (1944) is equal parts a survival horror thriller about people trying to find land after a shipwreck, while a German Nazi is on board, as well as being a revealing drama picture about how humanity cannot get along in difficult situations. John Steinbeck’s story is fascinating and features a person from every walk of life stuck together on a life raft, each looking out for themselves or one another if they’re kind. Jo Swerling’s screenplay is exciting with twists, hilarious with witty quips, and moving with raw emotional scenes.
Tallulah Bankhead steals the show in Lifeboat as the exuberant and ethereal Connie Porter. She’s so beautiful, flirty, witty, intense, and captivating throughout Lifeboat. Her every remark is astute as she tears down the male ego and frightened panic of the other survivors. Her flawless German accent is fun to listen to as she negotiates with the German man. Bankhead looks unbothered by her ordeals, which makes her presence in Lifeboat hilarious, fun, and alluring with every glance and sizzling word.
Walter Slezak is amazing as the unconcerned and conniving German Captain Willy with his calm attitude, boisterous singing, and constant scheming for survival. Slezak’s German and English dialogue is enthralling. Henry Hull is fun as the rational and engaging businessman Rittenhouse, who is a great foil for the furious Kovac, played by a rugged and shirtless John Hodiak. Hodiak commands your attention with his righteous fury at the Nazis and stark authority as the forcefully elected skipper of the lifeboat. He’s such an arrogant jerk that it’s funny when he falls for Tallulah Bankhead’s charms.
Mary Anderson is lovely and sincere as the concerned doctor Alice MacKenzie, who falls in love with the rational, kind, and charming Sparks, played by a young and handsome Hume Cronyn! Heather Angel is intriguing and moving as the devastated Mrs. Higley, who tragically loses her baby. Canada Lee is realistic and grounded in the reality of each moment as Joe. William Bendix is great as the ever dying Gus, whose world is shattered when he realizes his lover Rose will not want a man with one leg. Lifeboat’s entire cast is excellent and does not waste a minute of time.
Lifeboat is gripping from sinking start to explosive finish for 96 minutes with swift cuts from editor extraordinaire Dorothy Spencer (Stagecoach, Foreign Correspondent, & Valley of the Dolls). Alfred Hitchcock does his famous one set location made famous in Rope (1948) earlier in Lifeboat with dazzling results. Hitchcock’s direction is highly engaging with entertaining moments of levity and clarity that will shock you. I was never bored watching these survivors bicker, argue, and fight each other with the reasonable people leading the way. Glen MacWilliams’ cinematography ensures you are always compelled by the interesting aquatic visuals of crashing waves, underwater fish eating lures, exploding ships in the distance, and hands reaching onboard.
James Basevi and Maurice Ransford’s art direction is pretty with cool backdrops of crashing waves and turbulent waters. I loved that Hitchcock used a real fish during the fishing sequence. The miniatures for the ships are cool too. Thomas Little made a realistic lifeboat for the main set with all the oars and supplies like you’d imagine. Fred Sersen’s visual effects are neat for the ship sinking into the hectic waters for Lifeboat’s exciting opening to the final barrage of distant torpedoes hitting ships. The constant wind blowing rugged faces and gallons of water splashing on the cast is awesome.
Hugo Friedhofer’s score is enthralling with dramatic stings and pulses of melodic life for emotional emphasis. His music matches the horrifying survival thrills and romantic moments alike. Rene Hubert’s costumes are neat with a lavish Mink coat, pretty ladies’ dresses, dirty sailor outfits, and rugged civilian clothing. Guy Pearce’s make-up is especially lovely as Tallulah Bankhead never looked more sultry or gorgeous.
In short, I found Lifeboat engaging and thoughtful as to how regular civilians would clash with naval experts on how to survive a shipwreck.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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