If the makers had known what they were about, they'd have had Dan Duryea sit in a chair and read the script to camera. Every time they shift to the stiff British players or the obvious studio settings, attention drops.
This one is no worse than the run quota filling first half thrillers that were being poured out of British studios at the time though it has the same glum view of human nature and unconvincing intonations. These were, despite the protestations of those who saw a living out of them, made by people who'd rather do something else, for theaters who'd rather show something else and played to audiences who considered coming in at interval to just see the big picture.
Apart from Duryea, WALK A TIGHTROPE has Pat Owens memorable for her lead in LAW & JAKE WADE and unforgettable in her number in HELL TO ETERNITY and is filmed by the cameraman of DRIFTERS. The makers' attempts to induce style, in material like the sustained shot of Owens with voices over, fail miserably. Details like the London cab are jammed in to catch a U.S. audience. The first time director does his best.
This one is no worse than the run quota filling first half thrillers that were being poured out of British studios at the time though it has the same glum view of human nature and unconvincing intonations. These were, despite the protestations of those who saw a living out of them, made by people who'd rather do something else, for theaters who'd rather show something else and played to audiences who considered coming in at interval to just see the big picture.
Apart from Duryea, WALK A TIGHTROPE has Pat Owens memorable for her lead in LAW & JAKE WADE and unforgettable in her number in HELL TO ETERNITY and is filmed by the cameraman of DRIFTERS. The makers' attempts to induce style, in material like the sustained shot of Owens with voices over, fail miserably. Details like the London cab are jammed in to catch a U.S. audience. The first time director does his best.