Watch Boomerang! For Free

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Truly Dreadful Film

Touches You

One of my all time favorites.

Elia Kazan declined to discuss his Fox films when I interviewed him. He felt they were not his. They were not Gadge Kazan movies but the result of a team effort by such superb studio craftsmen as photographer Norbert Brodine and film editor Harmon Jones. True, Kazan directed the cast, but this movie's visual style, pacing and atmosphere was supervised by de Rochemont who had the ear of studio head, Darryl F. Zanuck.However, despite Kazan's initial reluctance to talk about Boomerang!, we actually spent well over thirty minutes on it. While he agreed that the picture was realistic at a time when Hollywood was mainly into glamour and escapism, Kazan argued the movie "was no way as good as Paisa." Kazan was also contemptuous of the over-simplification of civic corruption in Fulton Oursler's Reader's Digest article on which the film was based. And he was not happy with his leading man, Dana Andrews, whom he described as difficult to direct. He didn't like the way Brodine lit the film either and found him extremely unreceptive to suggestions that he employ a more gritty style such as that used by Martelli in Paisa.

This was Kazan's third credited movie, his first film noir, and the first time he was able to film totally on location (nothing was filmed in the studio). This was a new experience for Kazan since he started out at a play director in the 30s and 40s and then made his first two movies, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) and The Sea of Grass (1947), totally in a movie studio. The DVD that I have is one of those 20th Century Fox noir movies with a commentary track. In the commentary, they call this movie a 'docunoir' meaning, I suppose, that it is a noir-ish docudrama based on a true story. Although the events depicted in this movie took place in Bridgeport, Connecticut, it was actually filmed in Stamford, Connecticut. So, when you see one of the panels of the opening credits say, 'The story you are about to witness is based on fact. In the interests of authenticity, all scenes, both interior and exterior, have been photographed in the original locale and as many actual characters as possible have been used,' you have to take it with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, other than the main characters, local people who were non- actors, did most of the other parts. For me, this makes the movie more authentic and seems to represent sort of an 'American neorealism' that may have been influenced by the films being made in Europe about the same time.As the movie opens, we see the murder of one of the town's most beloved citizens, its Episcopal minister, Father Lambert. He is murdered on Main Street in the early evening in front of several people. The people of the town are shocked and want to find the murderer and bring him to a swift justice. Police Chief Robinson (Lee J. Cobb) and his assistant, Detective Lieutenant White (Karl Malden), feel the ripple effect of the town's shock as does the State's Attorney, Henry Harvey (Dana Andrews), and his wife, Madge (Jane Wyatt). Of course, the local newspaper, 'The Morning Record,' and its reporter, Dave Woods (Same Levine), fans the flames of public outrage.Soon, local politics and politicians get involved and corruption is unveiled for us to see: The commissioner of Pubic Works (Ed Begley) desperately wants to see a murderer caught and convicted since his new recreation center depends on its quick resolution. And, as we find out later, his political and personal financial positions are duplicitous and, therefore, corrupt.As the local newspaper and political machine continue to fuel the public fires of the unsolved case, people start to form quasi-vigilante groups to find the murderer. Finally, the police find a possible suspect, John Waldron (Arthur Kennedy), in Ohio. The circumstantial evidence against him is the timing of his exit from town; the fact that he dresses like the murderer (dark coat and light hat), has a medium build, and owns a .38 caliber pistol. Waldron is placed in several police lineups and is constantly recognized by witnesses from the scene of the crime. After several non-stop hours of 'aggressive' questioning by police, he signs a confession.Justice is swift at the Coroner's Inquest. However, when the case is examined at the State Superior Court, State's Attorney, Henry Harvey has some doubts about Waldron's guilt and more actively pursues old leads with his staff. As attention is shifted to Harvey, members of the Reform Party machine both threaten him and promise him the governorship. The movie ends with a good courtroom drama. The movie's epilogue is equally interesting!I highly recommend this crime drama based on an actual case and taken from a Reader's Digest article. It may have been overlooked because Kazan's Gentleman's Agreement was the movie to see in 1947. However, I think this is one of those great crime documentaries like Call Northside 777 (1948) and Mystery Street (1950).

"Boomerang" is a "Law and Order" type film noir drama from Director Elia Kazan. It is divided into two parts: the crime and pursuit of the criminal and the ensuing courtroom proceedings.Set in an unnamed town in New England, the story deals with the unexpected murder of popular Minister Father George Lambert (Wyrley Birch) by an unknown assailant on the darkened main street of the town. Detectives Robbie Robinson (Lee J. Cobb) and White (Karl Malden) investigate the murder. They are under great pressure from the local State's Attorney Henry L. Harvey (Dana Andrews) and the town's Mayor (Walter Greanza) and its leading citizens Taylor Holmes, Robert Keith and Ed Begley among others who have their own reasons for having the crime solved.An unemployed drifter John Waldron (Arthur Kennedy) is arrested and charged with the crime. He is identified by seven witnesses including the vengeful former girlfriend Irene Nelson (Cara Williams). Robinson and White question him relentlessly until he reluctantly signs a confession.Harvey is congratulated by the pillars of the community and is promised the Governor's mansion if he gets a quick conviction. Harvey at first believes the man to be guilty but then as he re-examines the evidence he begins to have second thoughts.This story is based on an actual case that resulted in part, in the character played by Andrews becoming Attorney General of the United States. Kazan draws an excellent performance from the then newcomer Kennedy as the beleaguered Waldron. Andrews at the peak of his career, is also convincing as the State Attorney. Karl Malden, though unbilled here, makes a good impression in his first of many roles for Director Kazan.Others in the cast include Jane Wyatt, given little to do as Andrews' wife, Sam Levene as news reporter Dave Woods, Barry Kelley as Sgt. Dugan and Philip Coolidge as the mysterious Jim Crossman. Reed Hadley is the narrator (a role he often "played") and Bert Freed as a member of a mob. Brian Keith (son of Robert) appears as an extra and watch for author Arthur Miller as a member of a police line-up.Although Kazan gives us a possible solution to the crime the viewer is left wondering...hmmmm did he or didn't he do it?

This is a very powerful film. Dana Andrews is at his best here, and I always thought it sad that despite some very good movie roles that he never made it to the upper echelon of acting. Perhaps that was due to his alcoholism.As is made evident in the film, it is based on a true story from 1924 Connecticut, when a priest, walking along a street at night, is shot in the head. A vagrant and discharged soldier with emotional problems in indicted for the murder, but only after the case lags and the local government is skewered by the press and the citizenry. So once a suspect is found and arrested, there is a rush to judgment. However, the local district attorney -- and later Attorney General of the U.S. under FDR -- doesn't believe the man in guilty. Through an interesting courtroom segment, the man is found not guilty.Elia Kazan does a bang-up job directing here, but, unfortunately, with the film being shot on location (although in a different community from where the events actually took place), production values are not high. It's interesting to see the lovely Jane Wyatt, although her part is of passing interest (as Andrews wife). Lee J. Cobb (as a detective) and Arthur Kennedy (as the suspect) are never favorites of mine, but both turn in very good performances here, as due Karl Malden (another police officer) and Ed Begley (as a shady local politician).If I were into crime dramas more, this would probably find a place on my DVD shelf, but I'll settle for occasionally watching it on TCM. And, make no mistake, this one is definitely worth watching.