Product Details

• Actors: Dana Andrews, Jane Wyatt, Lee J. Cobb, Cara Williams, Arthur Kennedy
• Directors: Elia Kazan
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Fox
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000LN6UHI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,481 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Movie Description Elia Kazan's brilliant docu-drama about an innocent man brow-beaten into confessing to the murder of a minister. Andrews is the D.A. who decides to dig deeper into what seems like an open-and-shut case. Look for playwright Arthur Miller in the suspect line-up. Based on an article by Anthony Abbott in Reader's Digest. Credits Cast: Dana Andrews Director: Elia Kazan Synopsis This melodrama, based on the true story of an unsolved murder, carefully combines fact with fiction in semi-documentary style. When a prosecuting attorney investigates the killing of a Connecticut clergyman, he begins to suspect that the accused man is innocent -- and sets out to prove it.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Goes on Sale Again September 2! August 28, 2008

By Old movie fan

Format:DVD

Update!! It's in stock and for sale at Amazon Canada at CDN $16.99. Maybe Amazon U.S. can't get this disk. (limited release?)

(I have tried to ask customer service twice why this DVD is not listed. It is listed on Amazon Canada as a pre-order.) This DVD was released once before but it was withdrawn from sale soon after. It is based on a true story-a drifter(who is not guilty)is arrested and charged with the murder of a respected citizen in a small town. This nightmarish scenario is handled wonderfully well in a semi-documentary style by the director Elia Kazan. Dana Andrews gives another excellent noir performance.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Part of the flowering of post war films May 25, 2003

By Kevin Brianton

Format:VHS Tape

Dana Andrews had just appeared in the acclaimed Best Days of Our Lives, when Director Elia Kazan lured him to do this film. It is a fine piece of work as Dana Andrews plays a moral man in a political and moral quagmire of an ordinary American town. The documentary style was often repeated, but Kazan got it right first time.

It is a feast of fine acting with the camera moving from one small story to another. There are so many good actors in this film, but Lee J. Cobb delivers the best as the old time police officer.

This film was made just before the HUAC investigation of Hollywood which drove out social criticism of American life. It is an example of where Hollywood was going before the investigation strangled the life from Hollywood. The Best Days of Our Lives was another example of this type of film. It is direct and honest.

The choice of ending where it is not made clear about the killer makes it all the more interesting. I have no idea why this film is not readily available on video. It is a small gem that repays viewing after viewing.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A killing in a small town June 4, 2005

By Westley VINE™ VOICE

Format:VHS Tape

Elia Kazan's third directing effort was "Boomerang!" - a solid murder drama that explores the sometimes polluting effect that politics exerts on the legal system. In a small town, a beloved pastor is murdered in the street, shocking the local residents. Dana Andrews plays the prosecuting lawyer trying the case: clearly the biggest assignment of his career. A shifty ex-serviceman (the talented Arthur Kennedy) is indicted and appears unquestionably guilty. But is he? Everyone involved in the case seems to have an ulterior motive, and Andrews' character is determined to see justice prevail. The Oscar-nominated story was inspired by a true case; Andrews portrays Homer S. Cummings, who later became U.S. Attorney General in the FRD administration.

Despite being a satisfying crime drama, "Boomerang!" is a relatively neglected film, especially among Kazan's outstanding canon. Why has it been ignored? All aspects of the film essentially are good to very good, including the acting and direction. Perhaps the film has been hurt by its matter-of-fact tone and slow-building plot; indeed, the film may a bit uninvolving for some audiences, at least until an undeniably thrilling final court scene. In addition, the stars (Dana Andrews, Jane Wyatt, Lee J. Cobb) are not marquee names; however, given its true life origins and the semi-documentary style, the movie actually benefits from a lack of star power. Finally, Kazan's other film that year also overshadowed "Boomerang!" - the multiple Oscar winner, "Gentleman's Agreement."

Overall, "Boomerang!" is an enjoyable foray into 1940s crime dramas that is well worth a look. Hopefully it will be released soon on DVD, allowing a larger audience to find this film.