Year: 1948
Director: Frank Borzange
Country: US
Language: English
Moonrise (1948) is widely regarded as Frank Borzange's standout work among lesser known B-picture film noirs. It has a romantic southern atmosphere yet has the sensibility of film noir. The cinematographer, John L. Russell, would later work with the great "master of suspense" Alfred Hitchcock on perhaps his most acclaimed work Psycho (1960).
Danny (Dane Clark) was despised by his schoolmates because his father was accused to have killed another man. He lives in a psychological shadow because his father died by a hangman's noose.
Moonrise takes place in a small southern town; set amidst swamps and rotten antebellum mansions. Based on a novel by Theodore Strauss and scripted by producer Haas, what we get isn't exactly Gone With The Wind, but it is a unique noir drenched in existential philosophy. The main character is tormented; convinced that he is beyond redemption and cannot overcome his bad blood.
Moody music and impressive photography create a near expressionist film that shows just how artistic the genre could be. Exhibiting a remarkable feel for nuance in language, Moonrise's use of sound combined with the director's clear love of silent masterpieces like F.W Murnau's Sunrise make this quite a unique picture.
A poetic heart and (spoiler) not-so broody ending makes this picture less dark in tone than say, Sweet Smell of Success, but it's still a worth-while viewing, especially if you are a fan of John. L Russell's cinematography. The Criterion Collection is releasing a Blu-Ray edition in May, and I must say that this is overdue for a decent home video release.
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