The Big Night *** (1951, John Barrymore Jr, Preston Foster, Joan Lorring, Howard St John, Dorothy Comingore) – Classic Movie Review 5840

John Barrymore Jr [aka John Drew Barrymore] makes something of his first starring role as a stereotypical Fifties misunderstood teenager, in that era of crazy mixed-up kids, in Joseph Losey’s 1951 American film noir The Big Night.

He plays George La Main, who is bent on avenging Al Judge (Howard St John)’s mob attack on his father Andy (Preston Foster), which he witnesses.

Joseph Losey directs this 1951 youth drama and film noir thriller with feeling but, characteristically, without restraint, allowing the intriguingly premised film to falter, though Losey’s and Stanley Ellin’s screenplay (based on Ellin’s 1948 novel Dreadful Summit), with its weak, unpersuasive development, is to blame too.

Nevertheless, the film is still very interesting and well worth a look, both as a noir and for its social and political undercurrents, as well as part of Joseph Losey’s body of work. Oddly, and interestingly, Barrymore Jr here bears a passing resemblance to James Dean, who was to personify the Fifties misunderstood teenager.

Citizen Kane star Dorothy Comingore co-stars as Julie Rostina in her final film in a career killed by McCarthy blacklisting. Losey was another victim, but he fled to Britain and re-started his career, notably with The Servant, Accident and The Go-Between.

Also in the cast are Joan Lorring, Philip Bourneuf, Howland Chamberlin [Howland Chamberlain], Emile Meyer, Myron Healey and Mauri Leighton [Mauri Lynn].

Hugo Butler and Ring Lardner Jr also contributed to the screenplay, but were uncredited.

Robert Aldrich, assistant director on other Losey films, has a brief uncredited appearance in a scene at a boxing match.

The Big Night runs 75 minutes, is made by Philip A Waxman Productions, is released by United Artists, is shot in black and white by Hal Mohr, produced by Philip A Waxman, scored by Lyn Murray, and designed by Nicholas Remisoff.

It was released on 7 December 1951 in the US.

Losey made his feature debut in 1948 with The Boy With Green Hair, and went on to direct a series of film noirs – The Lawless (1950), The Prowler (1951) and The Big Night.

Barrymore’s films were not particularly successful, though he had greater success on TV. He suffered from the same addiction problems that destroyed his father, John Barrymore.

John Drew Barrymore (born John Blyth Barrymore Jr.; June 4, 1932 – November 29, 2004) was the father of four children, including actress Drew Barrymore. In 2003 she moved him near her home, despite their estrangement. She paid his medical bills until his death from cancer the following year aged 72.

The cast are John Barrymore, Jr as George La Main, Preston Foster as Andy La Main, Joan Lorring as Marion Rostina, Howard St. John as Al Judge, Dorothy Comingore as Julie Rostina, Philip Bourneuf as Dr Lloyd Cooper, Howland Chamberlin as Flanagan, Myron Healey as Patrolman Kennealy, Emil Meyer as Peckinpaugh, and Mauri Leighton as Terry Angelus.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5840

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