{"id":3020,"date":"2007-04-19T12:22:27","date_gmt":"2007-04-19T19:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3020"},"modified":"2022-12-18T16:11:26","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T23:11:26","slug":"hurricane-the-1937","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3020","title":{"rendered":"Hurricane, The (1937)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;No jail can hold Terangi very long &#8212; if it has a window in it, he&#8217;ll fly away! If it has water around it, he&#8217;ll swim away!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Poster-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-30837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Poster-195x300.jpg 195w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Poster-83x128.jpg 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA South Pacific native (Jon Hall) working as a sailor on a tall ship is unjustly jailed for hitting a white man; when he tries to escape, additional years are added to his sentence. Meanwhile, his beautiful wife (Dorothy Lamour) waits at home for his return, while his island&#8217;s by-the-book governor (Raymond Massey) refuses to intervene. A massive hurricane finally brings the entire situation to a dramatic conclusion.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Disaster Flicks<\/li>\n<li>Dorothy Lamour Films<\/li>\n<li>Falsely Accused<\/li>\n<li>John Carradine Films<\/li>\n<li>John Ford Films<\/li>\n<li>Mary Astor Films<\/li>\n<li>Prisoners<\/li>\n<li>Race Relations<\/li>\n<li>Raymond Massey Films<\/li>\n<li>South Sea Islands<\/li>\n<li>Thomas Mitchell Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDirected by John Ford, and based on a novel by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall, <em>The Hurricane<\/em> bears an uncanny resemblance to Ford&#8217;s film of the previous year, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2489\"><em>The Prisoner of Shark Island<\/em><\/a>: both deal with an unjustly accused man attempting to escape from prison, and John Carradine even reappears as a sadistic warden. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine-1024x770.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine-1024x770.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine-768x578.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine-359x270.png 359w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Carradine.png 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Yet <em>The Hurricane<\/em> remains the less compelling of the two films in terms of sheer narrative and characterization, with a primary problem one of lead casting: although blonde Jon Hall is hunky eye candy and not a terrible actor, it&#8217;s simply impossible to imagine him as an island native. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall-1024x760.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"475\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall-1024x760.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall-364x270.png 364w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hall.png 1371w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Indeed, when he&#8217;s ordered to &#8220;get up when a white man tells ya to!&#8221;, one almost wants to laugh, since Hall is undeniably a white man himself! <\/p>\n<p>Equally problematic is the film&#8217;s overall portrayal of the South Pacific islanders as happy, naughty, naive children lacking any ability to reason rationally. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4-1024x753.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"471\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4-1024x753.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4-367x270.png 367w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Couple4.png 1373w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the first scene of the movie, for instance, even a sympathetic white character (Thomas Mitchell) is heard making the disparaging comment that &#8220;a sense of honor in the South Seas is about as useful &#8212; and often as silly &#8212; as a silk hat in a hurricane.&#8221; And Terangi &#8212; though he eventually becomes somewhat of a folk legend &#8212; is ultimately shown to be unthinking in his ceaseless, <em>animal-like<\/em> attempts to escape, without concern for the consequences. <\/p>\n<p>The performances as a whole in <em>The Hurricane<\/em> are unexceptional. Though Mitchell was nominated for an Academy Award as best supporting actor, his work here playing a drunken doctor isn&#8217;t especially impressive. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell-1024x760.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"475\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell-1024x760.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell-768x570.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell-364x270.png 364w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Mitchell.png 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mary Astor is wasted in a thankless role as Massey&#8217;s loyal wife, while Massey himself comes across as one-dimensionally stubborn. Dorothy Lamour &#8212; never a great actress, but undeniably beautiful &#8212; gives perhaps the most appealing performance, managing to pass as a native without too much trouble. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour-1024x769.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour-1024x769.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour-768x577.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour-360x270.png 360w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Lamour.png 1377w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But the primary selling point of <em>The Hurricane<\/em> (which received excellent reviews upon its release) was and is its final climactic sequences, directed by an uncredited Stuart Heisler. Heisler&#8217;s ability to simulate a ferocious island hurricane is nothing short of phenomenal, and represents a true masterpiece of early special effects in cinema. Indeed, the entire narrative arc leading up to these final scenes seems superfluous in hindsight. The titular hurricane itself makes this must-see viewing for serious film fanatics. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The phenomenal hurricane sequences<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5-1024x763.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"477\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5-1024x763.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5-768x572.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5-362x270.png 362w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane5.png 1381w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3-1024x762.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"476\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3-1024x762.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3-363x270.png 363w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Hurricane-Hurricane3.png 1367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes &#8212; but only for the final 20 minutes, which are a masterpiece of early special effects wizardry. Peary lists this movie in the back of his book as a film with historical importance and a personal recommendation. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0029030\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1937\/11\/10\/archives\/the-screen-samuel-goldwyn-turns-nordhoffhall-hurricane-loose-across.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/78725\/the-hurricane#articles-reviews?articleId=147123\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classicfilmguide.com\/index.php?s=other_reviews&#038;item=255\">Classic Film Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/EcuCkBqG7qY\">Tired Old Queen at the Movies Video Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;No jail can hold Terangi very long &#8212; if it has a window in it, he&#8217;ll fly away! If it has water around it, he&#8217;ll swim away!&#8221; Synopsis: A South Pacific native (Jon Hall) working as a sailor on a tall ship is unjustly jailed for hitting a white man; when he tries to escape, additional years are added to his sentence. Meanwhile, his beautiful wife (Dorothy Lamour) waits at home for his return, while his island&#8217;s by-the-book governor (Raymond&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3020\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3020"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88887,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3020\/revisions\/88887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}