{"id":5884,"date":"2008-08-11T11:09:54","date_gmt":"2008-08-11T18:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5884"},"modified":"2020-12-14T14:09:00","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T21:09:00","slug":"naked-dawn-the-1955","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5884","title":{"rendered":"Naked Dawn, The (1955)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I&#8217;m worth more &#8212; I work for my living! I take from no one!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Poster-202x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"202\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-57811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Poster-202x300.png 202w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Poster-689x1024.png 689w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Poster-182x270.png 182w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Poster.png 743w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA bandit (Arthur Kennedy) visits the home of an impressionable newlywed couple (Eugene Iglesias and Betta St. John) and unwittingly changes their lives forever.\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>Arthur Kennedy Films<\/li>\n<li>Catalysts<\/li>\n<li>Edgar Ulmer Films<\/li>\n<li>Greed<\/li>\n<li>Thieves and Criminals<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nEdgar Ulmer &#8212; best known for directing the B-level <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5888\">1945 thriller <em>Detour<\/em><\/a> &#8212; made a handful of cult films throughout his career, including this effective little western set in Mexico. Taking place on oddly isolated terrain (likely a function of its low budget), the story focuses directly on the effects an &#8220;outsider&#8221; (Kennedy) has on the humble, seemingly happy marriage of two hardworking peasants, Manuel (Iglesias) and Maria (St. John). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2-1024x635.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"397\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2-1024x635.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2-768x476.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2-435x270.png 435w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Impact2.png 1469w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Manuel was previously content to simply work his land and plan for a family with his beautiful wife &#8212; but once Santiago (Kennedy) unwittingly involves him in a bout of theft and violence against a fence (Roy Engel), Manuel finds himself lusting after the money Santiago seems to obtain so easily. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2-1024x636.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"398\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57818\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2-1024x636.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2-768x477.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2-435x270.png 435w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy2.png 1483w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Maria &#8212; who, it turns out, was essentially purchased by Manuel, along with the land they live on &#8212; is smitten by the idea of freedom with Santiago, and longs to leave with him. <\/p>\n<p>Santiago (wonderfully played by Kennedy) is a most fascinating central character: a violent but even-handed bandit, his motivations stem from cynicism over failed revolutionary promises to provide land to all who fought for freedom. He shows genuine compassion when ministering to his dying partner (Tony Martinez) during the movie&#8217;s opening scene:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2-1024x624.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2-1024x624.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2-128x78.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2-768x468.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2-443x270.png 443w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Caring2.png 1519w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and never intends to disrupt Manuel and Maria&#8217;s lives the way he ultimately does; indeed, Santiago is more of a catalyst than anything &#8212; an &#8220;innocent&#8221; spark who taps into both Manuel&#8217;s baser, greedy instincts, and Maria&#8217;s deeply rooted unhappiness. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3-1024x611.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"382\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3-1024x611.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3-768x458.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3-1536x916.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3-453x270.png 453w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy3.png 1541w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>His reactions to their sudden revelations are refreshingly uncliched, and help to turn this modest little western into a most enjoyable &#8220;menage a trois&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p><strong>P.S.<\/strong> Truffaut famously noted that this film was an inspiration for his <em>Jules and Jim<\/em> (1962), but don&#8217;t look for literal similarities. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arthur Kennedy as Santiago<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy-1024x644.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"403\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy-1024x644.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy-768x483.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy-430x270.png 430w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Kennedy.png 1475w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>An intriguing storyline<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline-1024x642.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"401\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline-1024x642.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline-768x481.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline-431x270.png 431w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Naked-Dawn-Storyline.png 1463w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as one of Ulmer&#8217;s most enjoyable B-movies. Listed as a Cult Movie and a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0048411\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m worth more &#8212; I work for my living! I take from no one!&#8221; Synopsis: A bandit (Arthur Kennedy) visits the home of an impressionable newlywed couple (Eugene Iglesias and Betta St. John) and unwittingly changes their lives forever. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Arthur Kennedy Films Catalysts Edgar Ulmer Films Greed Thieves and Criminals Westerns Review: Edgar Ulmer &#8212; best known for directing the B-level 1945 thriller Detour &#8212; made a handful of cult films throughout his career, including&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5884\"> 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-5884","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\/5884","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=5884"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57821,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5884\/revisions\/57821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}