Time Limit *** (1957, Richard Widmark, Richard Basehart, Dolores Michaels, June Lockhart, Carl Benton Reid, Martin Balsam, Rip Torn, James Douglas) – Classic Movie Review 11,731

Director Karl Malden’s 1957 legal drama film Time Limit stars Richard Widmark, Richard Basehart, Dolores Michaels, June Lockhart, Carl Benton Reid, Martin Balsam, Rip Torn and James Douglas.

This taut, gripping military courtroom drama is Malden’s only stab at direction and he manages a tense, efficient job. Malden later said he ‘preferred being a good actor to being a fairly good director.’

Richard Widmark stars as US Army Colonel William Edwards, who investigates the real truth as Major Harry Cargill (Basehart) pleads guilty to collaboration with the enemy as a North Korean prisoner of war. Edwards delves into the mystery behind Cargill’s inexplicable refusal to defend himself.

Widmark also co-produces as the first film for his production company Heath Productions and asked his friend Malden to direct it. Malden said: ‘Widmark thought I’d be good directing it, and I said “Sure, I’d take a crack at it.” I liked what it had to say.’

Henry Denker’s screenplay is based on the play Time Limit by Henry Denker and Ralph Berkey. Widmark paid $100,000 to The Theatre Guild for the film rights.

Basehart was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actor.

The outdoor scenes on an Army post were shot in early May 1957 on location at Fort Jay, an active Army post on Governors Island, New York. The Korean prison scenes were shot at the Conejo Ranch near Agoura, California.

The cast are Richard Widmark as Colonel William Edwards, Richard Basehart as Major Harry Cargill, Dolores Michaels as Corporal Jean Evans, June Lockhart as Mrs Cargill, Carl Benton Reid as General Connors, Martin Balsam as Sergeant First Class Baker, Rip Torn as Lieutenant George Miller, Khigh Dhiegh [Kaie Deei] as Colonel Kim, Yale Wexler as Captain Joe Connors, Alan Dexter as Mike, Manning Ross as Lieutenant Harvey, Joe Di Reda as Gus, James Douglas as Steve, Kenneth Alton as Boxer, and Jack Webster as Lieutenant Harper.

 © Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,731

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