Anne Baxter was assuredly one of America's finest actresses whose sheer professionalism enabled her to shine regardless of the material. She had 'gone blonde' for Hitchcock in 'I Confess' and decided to stay that way for a while. This change of hair colour may not have brought her better films but it certainly accentuated her extraordinary sensuality.
From the moment she emerges from the water in a two-piece swimsuit in this potboiler one is 'hooked' and it is her subsequent performance that keeps one watching. The character of Rita is one of film's most fascinating femme fatales who spells trouble with a capital 'T'. She is ably supported by John Hoyt, suitably reptilian as a blackmailer and Jesse White as a venal private investigator. She finds true love with the fisherman of Sterling Hayden but their relationship is, naturally, doomed from the outset.
The film itself, one of five made by former publicist Russell Birdwell, is in truth pretty dire but is redeemed by the performances and by having Ernest Haller behind the camera.
Hayden, one of Hollywood's mavericks, has a thankless part. He professed to hate filming but his persona was at least used to great effect by Stanley Kubrick. Such a pity that 'tax problems' prevented his playing Quint in 'Jaws'. As for Miss Baxter, it was Cecil B. de Mille who came to her rescue with 'The Ten Commandments'.
This splendid artiste never gave less than her best and it is only fitting that the final words be hers: "Acting is not what I do. It is what I am."
From the moment she emerges from the water in a two-piece swimsuit in this potboiler one is 'hooked' and it is her subsequent performance that keeps one watching. The character of Rita is one of film's most fascinating femme fatales who spells trouble with a capital 'T'. She is ably supported by John Hoyt, suitably reptilian as a blackmailer and Jesse White as a venal private investigator. She finds true love with the fisherman of Sterling Hayden but their relationship is, naturally, doomed from the outset.
The film itself, one of five made by former publicist Russell Birdwell, is in truth pretty dire but is redeemed by the performances and by having Ernest Haller behind the camera.
Hayden, one of Hollywood's mavericks, has a thankless part. He professed to hate filming but his persona was at least used to great effect by Stanley Kubrick. Such a pity that 'tax problems' prevented his playing Quint in 'Jaws'. As for Miss Baxter, it was Cecil B. de Mille who came to her rescue with 'The Ten Commandments'.
This splendid artiste never gave less than her best and it is only fitting that the final words be hers: "Acting is not what I do. It is what I am."