dual personalities

In an effort to keep my mind off current events, I have been doubling down on watching only old movies of late. Besides the usual October ghostly fare (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Ghostbusters II, etc.) I have indulged in some good WWII movies. The other night I watched Command Decision (1949), which I had never seen, on TCM.

Based on the stage play, the action takes place mainly in one room at the American Eighth Air Force headquarters where daily bombing mission briefings take place. The drama depicted involves the political infighting of conducting a major war effort. The press and PR guys do not come off well. The film also deals with the emotional toll on commanders from ordering missions that result in high casualties, the effects of sustained combat on all concerned, and the nature of accountability for its consequences. It is a good movie and the all-male cast is excellent, especially Clark Gable.

It reminded me of Twelve O’Clock High (1948), which as you know, is one of my favorite movies. I think it is a better film than Command Decision–but that’s just my opinion.

I also recently watched The Enemy Below (1957) which is a WWII submarine movie starring Curt Jurgens and Robert Mitchum in a cat and mouse game between an American destroyer escort and a German U-boat during World War II. It is standard stuff directed by Dick Powell. Robert Mitchum mostly phones in his performance and Jurgens as the “good” German garners most of our sympathy.

Seeing it made me want to watch Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), a much better movie starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster. I did watch it and for the umpteenth time I was impressed. This movie, well directed by Robert Wise, is much more suspenseful. It also has a really good supporting cast, including a youthful Don Rickles. Also, Burt Lancaster uncharacteristically takes a back seat, allowing Clark Gable, in one of his final roles, to really shine.

What have you been watching?