| Dangerous Crossing | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joseph M. Newman |
| Screenplay by | Leo Townsend |
| Based on | "Cabin B-13" 1943 radio play by John Dickson Carr |
| Produced by | Robert Bassler |
| Starring | Jeanne Crain Michael Rennie |
| Cinematography | Joseph LaShelle |
| Edited by | William H. Reynolds |
| Color process | Black and white |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $500,000 |
Dangerous Crossing is a 1953 American mystery film starring Jeanne Crain and Michael Rennie and directed by Joseph M. Newman. Based on the 1943 play Cabin B-13 by John Dickson Carr,[1] the story revolves around a false pretense marriage covering for a murder plot aboard a cruise vessel.
Plot
The film is set on a cruise ship sailing from New York City. Newlywed Ruth Bowman's (Jeanne Crain) husband John (Carl Betz) goes missing after they check into their cabin. Compounding her confusion, she finds that she is registered solo under her maiden name, Ruth Stanton, in a different cabin. After she talks to the captain (Willis Bouchey), he orders the ship searched but to no avail. Eventually, the crew suspect Ruth is delusional.
That night, John phones Ruth with a cryptic warning to trust no one. Then he hangs up. Meanwhile, the ship's physician, Dr. Manning (Michael Rennie), embarks on a search for the facts. Spending time with Ruth, he enables her to open up about the recent death of her father, a wealthy steel executive. Ruth and Dr. Manning become close. Later, however, the doctor confronts Ruth with the suggestion that her wedding was either secret or non-existent. She explains that John wanted a quick, quiet ceremony. She also refers to an uncle who might scheme to get her large inheritance. Thus, she kept the marriage secret. That evening, John phones again, asking Ruth to meet him on deck. While there, he runs into the fog when he hears others approach. Ruth chases him but ends up in the ship's crowded ballroom, where she goes into hysterics. The captain demands she be locked in her cabin.
Finally, it is revealed that the missing John Bowman is actually the ship's third mate, Barlowe. He has faked illness as a way of concealing himself below deck and has deliberately schemed to make Ruth seem insane, with the aim of inheriting her fortune. When he learns Ruth has been locked up, he tells his co-conspirator, a pretty stewardess (Mary Anderson), to facilitate her escape. When they meet again, John tries to throw Ruth overboard - anticipating that her death will be put down to suicide - but is stopped by Dr. Manning. In the ensuing struggle, John accidentally falls over the side. In the film's conclusion, the captain apologizes to Ruth for challenging both her veracity and sanity.
Cast
- Jeanne Crain as Ruth Stanton Bowman
- Michael Rennie as Dr. Paul Manning
- Max Showalter as Jim Logan (as Casey Adams)
- Carl Betz as John Bowman
- Mary Anderson as Anna Quinn
- Marjorie Hoshelle as Kay Prentiss
- Willis Bouchey as Capt. Peters
- Yvonne Peattie as Miss Bridges
Production
The radio play Cabin B-13 was very popular when broadcast in 1943 and had been adapted for TV in 1948.[2]
Film rights were bought by 20th Century Fox, which started production in 1952 under the name Ship Story. Corinne Calvet and Gary Merrill were the original leads. Joseph M. Newman was originally meant to direct a film called The Raid but it was having casting issues and the director was under contract to the studio, so they transferred him to Ship Story.[3]
Eventually the lead roles were assigned to Fox contract stars Jeanne Crain and Michael Rennie. Filming started January 1953.[4]
Joseph Newman later recalled it was "a very low budget picture. At that time Twentieth Century Fox wanted to cut down on costs. But I think it was a good mystery. Crain and Rennie were both delightful people and pleasant to work with."[5]
Reception
The film critic for The New York Times gave a lukewarm contemporary review, writing
Although it maintains an eerie quality and suspense through the first half of its footage, Dangerous Crossing, which arrived at the Globe yesterday, is only a mildly engrossing adventure ... While sound effects, background music and shipboard sets lend a peculiar fascination to the melodrama, the acting of the cast adds little tautness to the proceedings. As the beleaguered heiress Jeanne Crain is beautiful but not entirely convincing in the role ... Dangerous Crossing, in effect, is intriguing only part of the way.... Thereafter, it is a commonplace trip.[6]
References
- ↑ Dangerous Crossing at IMDb .
- ↑ Cabin B-13 at IMDb
- ↑ Pryor, Thomas M. (9 December 1952). "Gunplay in Texas on Film Schedule; Dana Andrews and Randolph Scott Set for Hard Shooting, Riding in New Pictures". The New York Times. p. 43. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ Pryor, Thomas M. (3 January 1953). "Columbia Snaps Up 'Big Heat' for Film; McGivern's Magazine Story Is Crime Expose—Studio Seeks Robinson, Muni and Raft". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ Davis, Ronald L. (2005). Just Making Movies. Jackson, Miss.: University Press of Mississippi. p. 166. ISBN 1578066905. OCLC 1035917770. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ A. W. (30 September 1953). "'Dangerous Crossing' Arrives at the Globe—Jeanne Crain and Michael Rennie Take Leads; At the Globe". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 April 2020.