Trade Winds

Maybe this is what happened in the 30's when smart movie people went off the reservation and made a movie without major studio backing. "Trade Winds" suffers from a lack of oversight especially over the final script, as it is in desperate need of rewrite. The end result is a film lacking good continuity and a coherent storyline, and this despite an excellent cast and one of Hollywood's top directors.

Where to start? Maybe with the miscasting of Ralph Bellamy, one of the most reliable actors around, as a bumbling hayseed detective. He is an annoying presence throughout the picture and is in far too many scenes. Funny at first, he becomes grating before midway of the film. There are far too many plot contrivances and questionable circumstances to mention, so to save space I'll skip to the end of the picture. The unmasking of the murderer is unbelievable and far-fetched, but by that time the viewer has long since lost hope for a sensible deus ex machina. This is what I meant by lack of oversight. The end is completely undisciplined and stretches the audiences credulity, and unworthy of a credible Hollywood production. The only reason to see this misbegotten film is for the attractive cast, and to reflect on what might have been were the picture in different, more capable hands.