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Purely Joyful Movie!

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE is one of those 'Eastern adventures' that Hollywood loved making on the occasion. This one has a glamorous starlet in the form of Susan Hayward, who travels to Hong Kong in search of her missing playboy husband, as played by a youthful Gene Barry. She discovers that he illegally entered China and has subsequently gone missing, and the only man to help is roguish adventurer Clark Gable (a little long in the tooth, but still possessing some old-time charisma). This all-colour production is a little stodgy and dated on occasion, but generally gets by on an action-adventure template and lots of local character. Michael Rennie is an asset as the stiff-lipped policeman and the climax doesn't disappoint.

I agree with just about everything Greg said about the film. Perhaps I am wistful about the old Hollywood and the way movies were made back then. The teaming of Gable and Hayward is perfect. She could hold her own against any male lead. Gable was still in his prime and chews up the scenery. Susan Hayward, so strong and yet so vulnerable, was elegant in her circa 1954 wardrobe. The photography is splendid with so many great Hong Kong locations. It reminds me of "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," also from 1955. But, as Greg pointed out, it is the majestic, sweeping score by Hugo Friedhofer that lingers in my mind. I want that soundtrack! Overall, I loved the movie. It was exciting and had a Hollywood happy ending. They just don't make them like they used to!

Susan Hayward arrives in Hong Kong because her rather irresponsible reporter husband has disappeared--most likely across the border in Communist China. A wide variety of low-lifes offer to help but most seem intent with either bedding her or getting her money. One of these disreputable characters is played by Clark Gable--a man who seems to be heavily involved in the black market and smuggling. Of course Gable falls for Hayward, but the fact that she's loyal to her husband keeps getting in his way.This is an awfully familiar plot considering Clark Gable played in many movies with similar plot threads from the 1930s until the end of his career. In so many of his films, he played a rogue who was often on the wrong side of the law and who claimed to have no loyalty to anything but himself. However, again and again, by the end of the film, his character turned out to be decent after all--and usually get the girl. Despite all this being present in SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, I enjoyed the movie for two reasons. First, Gable always played those parts so well that it's hard to dislike these films. Second, setting the movie in Hong Kong was a welcome relief and breathed life into the old theme. In particular, the spectacular scenery really enhanced the film and made it sparkle.

Miss Susan Hayward was a feminist heroine: tough, smart, edgy, beautiful beyond measure. Caught in a court fight with her estranged husband, 20th was forced to shoot Miss Hayward's scenes at the studio in Beverly Hills...no problem. They could have been shot on Mars because Susan Hayward plays this part to the hilt. Miss Hayward and her co star Clark Gable were natural stars and natural actor..together they work magic...The ending is particularly modern: Miss Hayward meets up with Clark Gable and instead of clinching and saying they love each other...well just see the movie, likely one of the most adult endings of all time.