This would have been just another old escape from Devil's Island film if it wasn't for Ian Hunter's mysterious character.
The film has an amazing cast with everyone trading off their well-established screen personas. Tough talking Clark Gable's convict Verne, bickers with tough talking Joan Crawford as Julie, a saloon girl caught up in the escape. There is Peter Lorre creepily invading Julie's personal space, and Paul Lukas as a philosophical wife killer while Albert Decker exudes danger this time with a Hollywood Cockney accent.
Then there is Cambreau played by Ian Hunter. His character is often referred to as Christ-like. It caused drama with the church; there were bans and edits all over the place. However he operates more like a guardian angel, like Dudley in "The Bishop's Wife" or Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life". Although Cambreau does intervene in the fortunes of the escaping convicts, he's more concerned with helping them realise their better selves, especially Verne and Julie.
The film has a definite mood despite being shot mostly on the soundstage with jungle one step up from a garden centre. However this Devil's Island isn't Papillion's and has a warden almost as enlightened as Cambreau.
Warren G. Harris in "Clark Gable A Biography" gave insights into the making of the film, despite mixing up French Guiana with New Guinea. He reveals the tension on the set between Gable and Crawford. They had been lovers, but it was over, certainly from his end.
Incidentally Crawford actually looks fabulous in this film. Harris states that she refused to wear makeup or false eyelashes, her natural look is a surprise.
Gable was the favourite star of my generation's mothers, the women who grew up in the 20's and 30s. Clark Gable was their perfect man. He was big (6'1"); he had a big head, big hands, big ears and a big grin. Maybe they sensed he was a man for tough times. After all, the guy joined the Air Force and flew five combat missions over Germany in B17s with a photographic team. He took so many risks his superiors wanted him grounded; who would want to lose Clark Gable on their watch?
I've seen "Strange Cargo" many times over the years, but I'm always glad to take the journey again.
The film has an amazing cast with everyone trading off their well-established screen personas. Tough talking Clark Gable's convict Verne, bickers with tough talking Joan Crawford as Julie, a saloon girl caught up in the escape. There is Peter Lorre creepily invading Julie's personal space, and Paul Lukas as a philosophical wife killer while Albert Decker exudes danger this time with a Hollywood Cockney accent.
Then there is Cambreau played by Ian Hunter. His character is often referred to as Christ-like. It caused drama with the church; there were bans and edits all over the place. However he operates more like a guardian angel, like Dudley in "The Bishop's Wife" or Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life". Although Cambreau does intervene in the fortunes of the escaping convicts, he's more concerned with helping them realise their better selves, especially Verne and Julie.
The film has a definite mood despite being shot mostly on the soundstage with jungle one step up from a garden centre. However this Devil's Island isn't Papillion's and has a warden almost as enlightened as Cambreau.
Warren G. Harris in "Clark Gable A Biography" gave insights into the making of the film, despite mixing up French Guiana with New Guinea. He reveals the tension on the set between Gable and Crawford. They had been lovers, but it was over, certainly from his end.
Incidentally Crawford actually looks fabulous in this film. Harris states that she refused to wear makeup or false eyelashes, her natural look is a surprise.
Gable was the favourite star of my generation's mothers, the women who grew up in the 20's and 30s. Clark Gable was their perfect man. He was big (6'1"); he had a big head, big hands, big ears and a big grin. Maybe they sensed he was a man for tough times. After all, the guy joined the Air Force and flew five combat missions over Germany in B17s with a photographic team. He took so many risks his superiors wanted him grounded; who would want to lose Clark Gable on their watch?
I've seen "Strange Cargo" many times over the years, but I'm always glad to take the journey again.