Tonight's Movie: Storm Fear (1955) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

STORM FEAR (1955) is part of the original Dark Side of Cinema collection from Kino Lorber.

Unlike the later collections, this set isn't numbered. It also contains five films instead of three. The other films in the set are HE RAN ALL THE WAY (1951), WITNESS TO MURDER (1954), A BULLET FOR JOEY (1955), and BIG HOUSE, U.S.A. (1955).

This set made its way to me in a shipping mix-up a while back, and Kino Lorber kindly invited me to hang on to it and review some of the titles whenever I had time. Needless to say, I was happy to do so; while I'm usually busy staying on top of more recent releases, an upcoming Noir Alley showing of STORM FEAR prompted me to get out the set.

I've written in the past about "Snowy Westerns"; there are also a few "Snowy Noirs," and I think we could say that this is one of them. ON DANGEROUS GROUND (1951) is another that comes readily to mind.

Another angle which makes this film especially interesting is that it was the first of several feature films directed by leading man Cornel Wilde. Wilde's longtime wife, Jean Wallace, plays the female lead. The same year STORM FEAR was released Wilde and Wallace both appeared in the great noir classic THE BIG COMBO (1955), on which Wilde also served as associate producer.

Some impressive behind-the-credits names on STORM FEAR include screenwriter Horton Foote (TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD), whose script was based on a novel by Clinton Seeley, and composer Elmer Bernstein. Cinematographer Joseph LaShelle beautifully captures the stark wintry setting, filmed on location in Idaho.

As STORM FEAR begins, little David Blake (David Stollery of THE ADVENTURES OF SPIN AND MARTY) returns to his isolated mountain home after a day fishing with neighbor Hank (Dennis Weaver).

It's Christmastime, but David's beaten-down parents Elizabeth (Wallace) and Fred (Dan Duryea) aren't very happy, and Fred is in poor health, coughing constantly.

Out of the blue three people invade the Blake home: Charlie (Wilde), Fred's brother, who's got a bullet in his leg, and his associates Edna (Lee Grant); and Benjie (Steven Hill). It quickly becomes apparent that the trio have been involved in a robbery and are looking for a hideout.

Elizabeth removes the bullet from Charlie's leg, but a storm prevents the gang from leaving as quickly as expected.

As pressure mounts, questions about David's parentage begin to come out. And like the girl played by Teresa Wright in SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943), young David eventually realizes that he can't trust his calculating, murderous "Uncle Charlie."

This is an involving film, which becomes increasingly harrowing as its 88 minutes plays out. The climactic trudge through the snow reminded me strongly of the later DAY OF THE OUTLAW (1959).

Young Stollery is front and center for much of the movie and holds his own alongside the film's seasoned pros. He occasionally gets a bit shrill but for the most part is quite good as a young boy in a confusing situation, with a bitter father who can't defend the family home and an uncle who is initially attractive but definitely not a good man.

Fortunately the Blakes' friend Hank, who harbors feelings for both Elizabeth and David, returns from a trip and realizes something is amiss at the Blake house. I really liked Weaver in this role, and the final shot as "The End" came on screen made me wonder what came next for his character.

Wallace is also very good as the worn woman who loves her son but is trapped in a frustrating marriage to an ineffectual, angry man...and who has complicated feelings for his irresponsible brother. Wallace looks decidedly less glamorous here than in THE BIG COMBO, though she's still a lovely woman.

Wilde does a nice job as a first-time film director. Duryea's whiny character could have had a little more nuance, but on the other hand we get plenty of nicely subtle playing from Weaver, in particular. Grant seems to be channeling Claire Trevor in KEY LARGO (1948), but she's entertaining.

The Blu-ray print is excellent, sharp and crisp with good sound. The lone extras are trailers for three other films available from Kino Lorber.

Those who are hard of hearing should be aware that this disc does not have captions. This was common on older Kino Lorber releases, but in recent years their regular practice is to provide captions.

I've seen HE RAN ALL THE WAY and WITNESS TO MURDER at film festivals and enjoyed them both, and given the casts of the other two movies in this collection, along with Kino Lorber's deserved reputation for quality prints, I think I can safely say this set is a worthwhile purchase for noir fans.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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