{"id":44490,"date":"2019-08-12T19:44:13","date_gmt":"2019-08-13T02:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=44490"},"modified":"2021-01-24T09:55:07","modified_gmt":"2021-01-24T16:55:07","slug":"strange-cargo-1940","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=44490","title":{"rendered":"Strange Cargo (1940)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;There&#8217;s nothing a man can&#8217;t get through to be free!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Poster-209x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-44492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Poster-209x300.png 209w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Poster-89x128.png 89w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Poster-768x1105.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Poster-712x1024.png 712w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Poster.png 1035w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 209px) 100vw, 209px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA convict (Clark Gable) escapes from a French penal colony with a small group of fellow prisoners &#8212; including a calm, Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter) &#8212; accompanied by a prostitite (Joan Crawford) eager to get away from a weaselly informer (Peter Lorre).\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>Clark Gable Films<\/li>\n<li>Do-Gooders<\/li>\n<li>Escape<\/li>\n<li>Ex-Cons<\/li>\n<li>Frank Borzage Films<\/li>\n<li>Ian Hunter Films<\/li>\n<li>Joan Crawford Films<\/li>\n<li>Paul Lukas Films<\/li>\n<li>Peter Lorre Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary opens his review of this atmospheric outing by director Frank Borzage with the simple statement: &#8220;Strange film.&#8221; He notes that the &#8220;picture begins dynamically on [a] penal colony, with extremely good, hard-edged dialogue being exchanged by the sinful characters.&#8221; He adds that the &#8220;initial meetings between Gable and the hostile Crawford are gems&#8221;, and that &#8220;Gable and Crawford sizzle throughout&#8221;. However, he argues that &#8220;the religious mumbo-jumbo gets in [the] way of what might have been a fascinating escape film. Every time anybody wants to do something exciting, the calm and solemn Hunter stops them, tells them the possible consequences of their actions, and gives them second thoughts&#8221;, thus leading to &#8220;the characters&#8217; toughness and the picture&#8217;s as well [being] diluted.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m not quite in agreement with Peary&#8217;s assessment. While it&#8217;s certainly an interesting narrative choice to have a living conscience accompanying the crew of sinners, it&#8217;s done consistently enough (Hunter really is <em>Christ<\/em>-like) that we understand what the filmmakers are aiming for. I think it&#8217;s the point of this film for the characters to <em>become<\/em> less tough, and learn how to live a more introspective, charitable life (even if they&#8217;re near the end of it &#8212; as many are). I wish Lorre had some juicier moments, but Gable and Crawford bring solid star presence and credibility to their roles &#8212; and the overall cinematography and direction are stellar. This would make an interesting double-bill with <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=44024\"><em>Papillon<\/em> (1973)<\/a>, also about an attempted escape from Devil&#8217;s Island.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> This was the eighth and final collaborative film between Crawford and Gable, who were on-and-off-again lovers, rivals, and lifelong friends. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Joan Crawford as Julie<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Crawford.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Crawford.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Crawford.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Crawford-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Crawford-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Clark Gable as Verne<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Gable.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Gable.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"988\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44497\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Gable.png 988w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Gable-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Gable-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Gable-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Strong direction by Borzage<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Borzage.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Borzage.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Borzage.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Borzage-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Borzage-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Robert Planck&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"988\" height=\"720\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography.png 988w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography-768x560.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-44495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Strange-Cargo-Cinematography2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as an atmospheric, well-acted, unusual flick. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good Show<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0033105\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/714\/strange-cargo#articles-reviews?articleId=70952\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/fantasy\/strange-cargo-1940.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fantasticmoviemusings.com\/2017\/01\/02\/strange-cargo-1940\/\">SciFilm Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1940\/04\/26\/archives\/the-screen-strange-cargo-lands-at-capitolpalace-has-ma-hes-making.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s nothing a man can&#8217;t get through to be free!&#8221; Synopsis: A convict (Clark Gable) escapes from a French penal colony with a small group of fellow prisoners &#8212; including a calm, Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter) &#8212; accompanied by a prostitite (Joan Crawford) eager to get away from a weaselly informer (Peter Lorre). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Clark Gable Films Do-Gooders Escape Ex-Cons Frank Borzage Films Ian Hunter Films Joan Crawford Films Paul Lukas Films Peter Lorre Films Response&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=44490\"> 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":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44490","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=44490"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65546,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44490\/revisions\/65546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}