Copyright 1960. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. New York opening at the Criterion: 22 September 1960. U.K. release: May 1960 (sic). Australian release: 29 August 1960. 10,990 feet; 122 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Physically and mentally scarred by the cruelty of his clergyman father, Chad Bixby turns to Salome, the hard-working daughter of poor and puritanical Joshua Davis; but she rejects him and flees to New York, where she marries a playboy student.
COMMENT: Even a few songs from Pearl Bailey and a few snatches of hot trumpet-playing cannot save this hoke. All four principals are both uninspired and unconvincing. The plot is a tired amalgam of trite clichés, and director Anderson (who has slipped a long, long way from his peak with "Around the World in 80 Days") seems as utterly bored with the absurdly melodramatic proceedings as we are. Ludicrous, preposterous and utterly ridiculous, this movie is every bit as boring as its catchpenny title suggests.
SYNOPSIS: Physically and mentally scarred by the cruelty of his clergyman father, Chad Bixby turns to Salome, the hard-working daughter of poor and puritanical Joshua Davis; but she rejects him and flees to New York, where she marries a playboy student.
COMMENT: Even a few songs from Pearl Bailey and a few snatches of hot trumpet-playing cannot save this hoke. All four principals are both uninspired and unconvincing. The plot is a tired amalgam of trite clichés, and director Anderson (who has slipped a long, long way from his peak with "Around the World in 80 Days") seems as utterly bored with the absurdly melodramatic proceedings as we are. Ludicrous, preposterous and utterly ridiculous, this movie is every bit as boring as its catchpenny title suggests.