Ring of Fire *** (1961, David Janssen, Joyce Taylor, Frank Gorshin) – Classic Movie Review 10,847

Andrew L Stone’s taut 1961 Metrocolor thriller drama film Ring of Fire has more than its fair share of tension and suspense.

Writer-producer-director Andrew L Stone’s taut, tense and highly tolerable 1961 Metrocolor thriller drama film Ring of Fire has more than its fair share of tension and suspense, persuading audiences to suspend any disbelief.

David Janssen stars as US police officer Sergeant Steve Walsh, who is abducted by a trio young thugs (Joyce Taylor, Frank Gorshin, James Johnson), after he has tried to arrest them in Oregon for an armed raid on a petrol station. But he outwits them and heads them off towards a disorientating woodland conflagration that takes them into the hands of the cops.

The acting from a well-chosen cast is sparky and fiery, while there is plenty of pacey action and the flaming-ring sequences have great power. Andrew L Stone handles it at an incendiary pace and Virginia Stone edits it very smartly, packing a lot into 91 minutes.

Duane Eddy performs his famous title track ‘Ring of Fire’ (written by Duane Eddy).

The film was shot in Vernonia, Oregon and Wynoochee River, Washington, featuring footage from two real forest fires. Parts of an abandoned lumber mill owned by Oregon American were burned for the movie.

William H Clothier shoots in Metrocolor and 35mm.

It was released on June 14, 1961.

The cast are David Janssen as Sergeant Steve Walsh, Joyce Taylor as Bobbie ‘Skidoo’ Adams, Frank Gorshin as Frank Henderson, Joel Marston as Deputy Joe Pringle, Jim Johnson [James Johnson] as Roy Anderson, Ron Myron as Mason County Sheriff Tom Niles, Marshall Kent as Deputy, and Doodles Weaver as Mr Hobart.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,847

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