Customer Reviews

Cry Wolf [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a little known film of both Barbara Stanwyck and Errol Flynn. While it is not up there with some of Barbara's classics like "Double Indemnity" "The Lady Eve' and "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" it is still an extremely well made and tense mystery that keeps you guessing to the very end.
The strong, almost Gothic feel that the film possesses really adds to the atmosphere and I feel it is unique in that it was the only pairing of Barbara Stanwyck and Flynn, two of the greatest stars of the 30's and 40's. Errol Flynn performs in a role very different to his normal screen persona but I feel he does an admirable job in the subdued, slightly sinister character of Mark. Barbara Stanwyck i feel never gives a bad performance and she is her usual terrific self as the young woman coming to her (supposedly) dead husband's gloomy estate being determined to discover what really is going on there. The scenes of her trying to find these answers and all the strange things that happen add real tension to the proceedings. The scene where barbara sneaks into the Lab in particular is real nail biting stuff. Director Peter Godfrey who drew many fine performances out of Stanwyck over the years and here he really creates what i think is an exciting little mystery full of murder, dark rooms, the hint of insanity and very clever camera work.
I strongly recommend "Cry Wolf" not only for those like me who really love Barbara Stanwyck but for those that enjoy a good old fashioned mystery done with typical old Hollywood finese.

In the opening scene of one of the least typical of Flynn's vehicles, Barbara Stanwyck plays a widow who arrives at a house of mourning much to the surprise of the family, who didn't know the deceased was married. Stanwyck reveals that this had been a marriage of convenience to help the young man get his inheritance held by his uncle, Mark (Errol, natch) and it was to be followed by divorce in six months. Flynn is suspicious of Stanwyck, while she definitely has cause to be suspicious of him, all this resulting in a fairly suspenseful game of cat-and-mouse. Dour, leering servants, a hysterically morbid niece (Geraldine Brooks) plus weird nocturnal noises all add flavour to the puzzling plot. Flynn underplays in a properly sinsiter, stuffy, and apparently sadistic manner, but in some scenes he's just plain wooden in his acting technique. An excellent Franz Waxman score tries to elevate the melodrama to greater heights but the rather banal dialogue and ultimately inept plot unfortunately defeat it. Stanwyck does her usual best, however she and Flynn have a decidedly odd chemistry.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "CRY WOLF" (19 August 1947) (83 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- The tense psychological drama Cry Wolf offers a fascinating if not altogether successful change of pace for action star Errol Flynn. Most of the story takes place at a remote and forbidding mansion, where Sandra Marshall (Barbara Stanwyck), the widow of the house's owner, arrives to take charge --- An apparent gold digger, Sandra refuses to be bought off with a small cash settlement and insists on claiming her late husband's entire estate, which earns her a powerful enemy in the form of research scientist Mark Caldwell (Flynn) --- Upon learning that her headstrong sister-in-law Julie (Geraldine Brooks) is kept a virtual prisoner in the house, Sandra begins suspecting that Caldwell is up to no good - a suspicion seemingly confirmed when Julie dies under mysterious circumstances --- But as the story slowly unravels, it becomes clear that Caldwell is actually -- best not to give too much away here.

Cry Wolf was Geraldine Brooks' first film, and the second for her costar Richard Basehart

Under the production staff of:
Peter Godfrey [Director]
Catherine Turney [Screenplay]
Marjorie Carleton [Novel]
Henry Blanke .[Producer]
Jack L. Warner [Exective Producer]
Errol Flynn [Associaate Producer]
Franz Waxman [Original Film Music]
Carl E. Guthrie [Cinematographer]
Folmar Blangsted [Film Editor]

BIOS:
1. Peter Godfrey [Director]
Date of Birth: 16 October 1899, London, England, UK
Date of Death: 4 March 1970, Hollywood, California

2. Errol Flynn [aka: Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn]
Date of Birth: 20 June 1909, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date of Death: 14 October 1959, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

3. Barbara Stanwyck (aka: Ruby Catherine Stevens)
Date of Birth: 16 July 1907 - Brooklyn, New York
Date of Death: 20 January 1990 - Santa Monica, California

the cast includes:
Errol Flynn - Mark Caldwell
Barbara Stanwyck ... Sandra Marshall
Geraldine Brooks - Julie Demarest
Richard Basehart - James Caldwell Demarest
Jerome Cowan - Sen. Charles Caldwell
John Ridgely - Jackson Laidell
Patricia Barry - Angela, Maid (as Patricia White)

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 83 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (12/22/2010)

I thought this movie was taut and suspenseful. It had me guessing about who was really the good guy up until the very end. Barbara Stanwyck gives another solid performance as the rather mysterious heroine. She also looks terrific in clothes that were designed for her by the late, great Edith Head. Errol Flynn makes a convincing, seemingly sinister scientist. Yes, the ending is a bit over the top but in a highly entertaining way. And the photography, sets, and musical score are excellent. This is old Hollywood style movie making in top form. Recommended!

"Cry Wolf" is a 1947 mystery melodrama starring Errol Flynn and Barbara Stanwyck with Geraldine Brooks, Jerome Cowan, and Richard Basehart.

Flynn got his big break as "Captain Blood" (1935) and the rest is history. By the mid 40s Flynn was a top star with such films as "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1936) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), "Virginia City" (1939), "They Died with Their Boots On" (1941), and "Gentleman Jim" (1942). But at nearly 40 years of age, Flynn's best swachbuckling years were behind him, so he sought new and different roles. His appearance as a pipe smoking scientist in this film was one of these attempts.

Barbara Stanwyck was nominated for an Oscar 4 times and won 3 Emmys and a Golden Globe. She made 85 films in 38 years, and in the 1940s she averaged 2+ films per year including such memorable ones as "The Lady Eve" (1941), "Meet John Doe" (1941), and "Double Indemnity" (1944). She's probably best remembered as the matriarch from "The Big Valley" (1965-9) or Conny from "The Colbys" (1985-6), but at the time of this film she was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. She plays the wife of Flynn's dead brother. But is she really the wife? And is the brother really dead?

Perky Geraldine Brooks makes her film debut in this film, although she had been in prior films under her own name (Stroock). She made several films (e.g., "Possessed") before moving to TV where she had a long and productive career. Brooks plays the dead brothers sister.

You've seen Jerome Cowan in more than 100 films, but he's best remembered as Bogart's partner in "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) and as the hapless DA who prosecutes Santa Claus in "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947). Cowan plays Flynn's brother, the Senator.

Richard Basehart plays the dead brother. This was Basehart's film debut, and he'd go on to play in dozens of films ("La Strada", "Moby Dick", "The House on Telegraph Hill") before turning to TV where he is best remembered as the captain in "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1964-8).

Peter Godfrey directs. Originally an actor, he turned to directing in the 40s ("Woman in White", "Escape Me Never") making mysteries, and then transitioned to TV. Godfrey's direction is so good he transforms an ordinary mystery into something special. He uses a film noir approach to his camera angles which adds a certain flare to the film which it might otherwise not have. Godfrey and Stanwyck worked together on "The Two Mr. Carrolls" (1947) and "Christmas in Connecticut" (1945).

The film was made in the late 40s when Freud was very much in vogue with Hollywood personalities, and when many films with mental health issues were being made (e.g., "The Snake Pit", "Home of the Brave"). This film ultimately fits that pattern, but I can't say anymore or I will spoil it.

This is a fairly good mystery with good acting from everyone, even the over-the-top Brooks. Of course if you're a swashbuckler fan, you may be a little disappointed, but it's still worthwhile to see Errol Flynn attempting a more sedate role. My only real problem with the film is the ending, which doesn't live up to the pace of the rest of the film.

I grew up watching this film, so when WB finally decided to release it on DVD I was very thankful. This is an excellent, underappreciated film noir error flynn classic. The reason I give this release 2 stars is for the fast that WB took no attempt in remastering this classic. There are several parts throughout the film where the film becomes faded on half the screen, particles throughout, and in a few places major film scratches. Maybe I'm too use to buying Criterion films for this price, knowing they'll do their damndest to clean up the film before they transfer it. I was also very disappointed that there were no special features. WB has done a decent job with several other Errol Flynn films, this is the first one I've had an issue with. I'd still recommend buying it, just in case it never is rereleased.

Errol Flynn gives a great performance and so does Barbara Stanwyck in this mystery movie, in which you do not know or even guess the outcome till the very end. Great Movie!

I am reading some of the reviews people write, talking about Errol Flynn's dilemma of drinking etc. What have his private problems anything to do with his performances - nothing!

Facts remain; he was one of Hollywood's greatest stars ever and remained so till this very day - 50 years after his death. That is a feat in its own. As Jack Warner himself once said, "Bring me a star only half as good as Errol"

Facts remain, he was the greatest entertainer loved by millions all over our globe till this day and that 50 years after his death.

Fact remain, that he was extremely psychological injured in 1942 with this sham and mock trial of which he never recuperated and this was the onset of his down spiral. And who can blame him, being treated with such disrespect. He should have had professional help, but he never had any, maybe pride stood in his way.

Facts remain, that he apparently was made a scapegoat by the Hollywood District Attorney's office to strike back at Warner Brothers for not paying certain fees, which apparently all movie studios pay for protection of their stars against malignment and that is exactly what happened to Errol Flynn, being made an example. Being the top star of Warner Brothers and having a "ladies man" reputation he was the perfect specimen to be made an example of to show Warner Brothers what can be done. It was easy for the District Attorney's office to find some lose girls and drum up false charges, although the case was dismissed by the Grand Jury, the District Attorney's office pushed on and the extremely destructive trial to Errol Flynn began. Although the charges were dismissed again, the enormous irrevocable damage was done. He hated the slogan, born after the trial, "In Like Flynn", he always laughed it off and would act that it does not bother him, but it did, in fact very deeply. In his own words, apparently, to a friend, "It's like a dagger sinking into my heart". Being a very proud man Errol Flynn's pride was hurt deeply, a great psychological shock occurred of which he never recuperated. After that, the zest was gone and the self distraction began.

More importantly, it is to note that Errol Flynn always wanted to do much more serious character acting, but was very rarely given the chance by Warner Brothers. Yes, there was "That Forsyte Woman" and "Cry Wolf", which were extremely good, but it would have been nice if more would have followed. Errol Flynn took his acting very seriously; he hated mediocrity with a passion and always gave his best in all his performances. His strive was always for excellence, which is quite different from a perfectionist. He never was a perfectionist, because for that he had too much savoir faire and a wonderful disposition. Errol Flynn had an amazing temperament, always smiling, always willing to help, he loved fun and practical jokes, a zest for living, kind to people, very investigative and most of all - he always was a gentlemen in the best sense.

Talking about actors choices, one has to know when an actor is under contract the actor has to do most of the time as the studio prescribes - in other words very little choice. For this very fact Olivia de Havilland took Warner Brothers to court to break the typecasting contract.

In addition, he was excellent in comedy, which he proofed beyond of a doubt in "Never Say Goodbye" and "Footsteps in the Dark". "Footsteps in the Dark" could have been a series, like "The Thin Man", which would have been equally as good, if not better. Then there was this fabulous performance in "Thank Your Lucky Stars", which is a total unseen talent of his and a superb performance of song and dance. A talent never exploited by Warner Brothers.

Judging is so easy, but should be avoided, in particular when facts are absent!
One very wise man once said, "Sweep the dirt in front of your own door, there is so much you will have no time to go to other front doors" plus "If you do not have something nice to say - say nothing"
Errol Flynn, sleep in peace you have given millions so many great pleasures and we thank you for it from the bottom of our hearts!

Late in his life, Errol Flynn added to his impressive catalog of professional disgraces by appearing (drunk) in a stage production of "Jane Eyre." He must have forgotten his utter failure in this dud film noir, in which he plays an ambiguous Mr. Rochester-type character menacing (or is it trying to protect...?) good old Barbara Stanwyck. When the family secret is finally revealed at the end, you'll shake your head in disbelief -- if you're still awake.

I have seen most (if not all) of his movies. Errol has always been at the top of my list for free spirited actors. He was a rogue. His alcoholism did not help his acting any, but he managed to (in his younger years) be a fine actor with character and heart for the roll he was playing. The movie had a good plot but not enough (at least for me) interaction between him and Barbara. Because I am a very outspoken person, Barbara could have done a better job of standing her ground and confronting him, instead of sneaking around.