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(aka "The Enemy Within" or "The Man He Found")
directed by William Cameron Menzies
USA 1951
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The anti-communist film was a malignant undergrowth to the noir cycle [...] Some of them, nonetheless, have their moments. The Whip Hand, directed by William Cameron Menzies, is one of these (possibly because it started as an anti-Nazi intrigue piece before then-RKO boss Howard Hughes decreed that the Commies would make better box-office in 1951, the high noon of McCarthyism). Journalist Matt Corbin (Elliott Reid) is on a solo fishing trip somewhere in northern Minnesota (probably not far from Jefty's Road House), when he conks his head. Seeking medical attention, he stumbles into a strange town where he's told to fish elsewhere, as a virus, or something, has wiped out all the fish. It's kind of like Bad Day at Black Rock, where a loner insists on solving a terrible secret despite the fact that the whole town is in on the conspiracy. He can't even get a message out, or, if he does.... A bearded Raymond Burr is an outwardly jovial innkeeper and the best actor in this curious film, which manages to generate some tension and suspense along the way. Excerpt of review from Bill McVicar for imdb.com located HERE |
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Theatrical Release: 1 October 1951 (USA)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC
Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for the Review!
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CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution |
Warner Home Video Region 0 - NTSC |
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| Runtime | 1:21:51 | |
| Video |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (English) | |
| Subtitles | None | |
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Release
Information: Studio: Warner Home Video Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 12 |
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| Comments |
The
Whip Hand is a communist paranoia noir from the
McCarthy era, would fit perfectly with such titles as
The Red Menace,
I Was a Communist for the F. B. I.,
My Son John or
The Woman on Pier 13. The film was conceived as
an anti-Nazi thriller, but quickly changed its tune to a
more popular anti-Soviet rhetoric once Howard Hughes
took over the production. William Cameron Menzies (Things
to Come,
Address Unknown) provides able direction and
manages to get good performances from the film's
no-big-names cast. Raymond Burr, a film noir heavy of
too many classics to list, is the film's most
recognizable name and provides its best performance. The
female star is elusive Carla Balenda (born Sally Bliss)
whose last uncredited film role was in John
Frankenheimer's
Seconds. Male lead Elliott Reid would play
Victor Mature's role in
Vicki, 1953 remake of
I Wake Up Screaming. I was especially impressed
by unsubtitled Russian monologue in the opening minutes
by Gregory Gaye, who made a career of playing Russians
and Europeans in Hollywood since late 1920's. |
DVD Menu
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Screen Captures
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| Distribution |
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