The Bridges at Toko-Ri *** (1954, William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric March, Mickey Rooney) – Classic Movie Review 8479

James A Michener’s bestselling novel about the friendship of two Korean War jet pilots is strongly cast in director Mark Robson’s high-flying 1954 Paramount Pictures production The Bridges at Toko-Ri.

The stars (especially William Holden as the called-up reserve aviator lieutenant, Lt Harry Brubaker, and Fredric March as his understanding rear admiral George Tarrant) bring a freshness and power to an overworked theme. Grace Kelly plays Nancy Brubaker and Mickey Rooney plays Mike Forney.

Meanwhile Robson stages the huge movie with flair for maximum tension and excitement and with not too much wallowing in obvious ideas about love and war.

The gripping action scenes are highlighted by the Oscar-winning Best Special Effects. Alma Macrorie’s Film Editing was also Oscar nominated.

Also in the cast are Robert Strauss, Charles McGraw, Keiko Awaji, Earl Holliman, Willis Bouchey, Richard Shannon, Nadene Ashdown, Cheryl Lynn Calloway, James Jenkins, Charles Tannen, Marshal V Beebe.

The Bridges at Toko-Ri is directed by Mark Robson, runs 102 minutes, is made by Perlberg-Seaton, is released by Paramount Pictures, is written by Valentine Davies, based on James A Michener’s novel, is shot in Technicolor by Loyal Griggs and Charles G Clarke, is produced by William Perlberg and George Seaton, is scored by Lyn Murray and is designed by Hal Pereira.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8479

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