CRY OF THE HUNTED
US, 1953, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Vittorio Gassman, Barry Sullivan, Polly Bergen, William Conrad.
Directed by Joseph H. Lewis.
Cry of the Hunted is a small MGM supporting feature. Barry Sullivan appeared in a number of these films including No Questions Asked, Jeopardy. He is a sturdy presence as the lieutenant. Vittorio Gassman, appearing in a number of American films at this time, is a convict who escapes from custody and goes into the bayous of the South. Polly Bergen has a small role as Barry Sullivan’s wife. William Conrad is a superior officer. The film was directed by Joseph H. Lewis, director of short and small-budget films, some of which are minor classics including My Name is Julia Ross, Gun Crazy, The Big Combo.
The performances and the action seem somewhat strained as one watches the film, probably more acceptable in 1953. However, it is a competent story about two men, one a criminal, the other an officer, struggling with each other in the bayous.
1. The title? Jory as the hunted? Lieutenant Tunner as the pursuer? Going into the bayous? The cry of the hunted?
2. Black and white photography, location photography in the cities, in the South, the water, the jungle and growth? The musical score?
3. The establishing of Lieutenant Tunner, his single-mindedness? His relationship with his wife, coming home, stern, the meatloaf, his love for his wife? Her knowing what was happening before he did in terms of packing? His interrogations of Jory, Jory’s refusal to give information? The physical fights between the two? Yet his respect for Jory? His superiors, the warden playing golf and needling him into action? Goodwin and his support and supervision? The pursuit of Jory, the train, searching for Jory on the train, his escape, capturing him, overturning the boat, in the glades, the physical fights, the dangers, Jory saving Tunner from the quicksand? The bonds between them? Tunner taking him to see his wife? His determination to escape, his being wounded in the fight, Tunner taking Jory in? His satisfaction in getting his man, seeing him off after his prison term?
4. Jory, the background, his marriage? The offer of the money, the driving for the robbery? His refusal to give names? In jail, the physical fights with Tunner? The crash in the tunnel, his escape, the pursuit, on the train, getting off, escaping into the fields? Going to see his wife, Tunner finding him? His relationship with his wife, her devotion? His little boy? The boat, into the glades, the water, the fights, his being wounded, the alligators? His finally giving in, serving his sentence, going back to his wife?
5. The authorities, Goodwin and his finally finding the men? The sheriff and his offhand manner? The warden and his golf and needling?
6. A competent second-feature thriller?
