Moonrise (1948)

Danny is being despised by his schoolmates because his father was accused to have killed another man and is condemned to the death penalty.

Director:

Frank Borzage

Writers:

Charles F. Haas (screenplay) (as Charles Haas), Theodore Strauss (novel)

Stars:

Dane Clark, Gail Russell, Ethel Barrymore

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dane Clark	...	Danny Hawkins
Gail Russell	...	Gilly Johnson
Ethel Barrymore	...	Grandma
Allyn Joslyn	...	Sheriff Clem Otis
Rex Ingram	...	Mose
Harry Morgan	...	Billy Scripture (as Henry Morgan)
David Street	...	Ken Williams
Selena Royle	...	Aunt Jessie
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Jimmy Biff
Irving Bacon	...	Judd Jenkins
Lloyd Bridges	...	Jerry Sykes
Houseley Stevenson	...	Uncle Joe Jingle
Phil Brown	...	Elmer - Soda Jerk
Harry Cheshire	...	J.B. Sykes (as Harry V. Cheshire)
Lila Leeds	...	Julie

Storyline

Danny Hawkins, who lives in a psychological shadow because his father died by a hangman's noose, accidentally kills a man in a fight over a girl, Gilly Johnson, and is afraid to notify the police. He wins the love of the girl but when she tries to influence him to admit his guilt, he runs away.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | african american | interracial friendship | car accident | compact | 

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Taglines:

HER ARMS...HER LOVE...HIS ONLY ESCAPE FROM A HERITAGE OF HATE! (original poster -all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 October 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frank Borzage's Moonrise

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$849,452 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chas. K. Feldman Group Productions Inc., Marshall Grant

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the novel of the same name by Theodore Strauss.

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Quotes

Sheriff Clem Otis: Sure is remarkable how dying can make a saint of a man.

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Connections

Referenced in Moving Pictures (2016)

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Soundtracks

The Moonrise Song (It Just Dawned On Me)
Lyrics by Harry Tobias
Music by William Lava
Performed by David Street

User Reviews

What I did was resign from the human race.

Directed by Frank Borzage and adapted from the novel by Theodore Strauss, Moonrise sees Dane Clark playing Danny Hawkins, the son of a man who was hanged for his crimes. Tormented by his father's past and bullied about it as a child, Hawkins grows into a confused and resentful man. Striking out at anyone foolish enough to cross his fractured state of mind, tragedy is quick to strike, sending Hawkins deep into the Southern mire. Can solace come in the form of Gilly Johnson? (Gail Russell) or is it simply too late to rejoin the human race?

We open with a hazy reflection that merges into the feet of walking men, men walking to the gallows as Danny Hawkins' father is hanged. The mood is well and truly set for Borzage's dreamy film noir. It's something of an oddity in many ways for it most assuredly is film noir, certainly in texture and on the technical issues it is, yet an overtly poetic heart and a distinctly less than broody ending almost steer it to being fanciful fluff. Borzage and his cinematographer, John L. Russell (in one of his first prominent assignments), do wonders with the atmosphere of the piece. Set in the steamy South, shadows and darkness are a constant and rewarding part of proceedings, while swinging lights and conversations filmed at midriffs further enhance the skew whiff state of Dane Clark's protagonist. Also of note is that some scenes showcase why Borzage was rightly held in high regard back in the day, a Ferris Wheel, a car crash and a Racoon tree top sequence (that upset and engrossed me simultaneously) are just some of the reasons why this is a must see for Borzage enthusiasts.

Coming as it does out of the Republic Pictures house of "B" moviedom, it's natural to expect some low budgetary issues. However, this is a splendid production belying its "B" movie worth. The cast are fine, with Clark particularly doing well as his character battles with anger and warmth issues, and the sets and location work are effective and benefit the story greatly. Thankfully, and even though it has no restoration, the picture quality is very good, the sound mix is a bit down at times, but by and large this one has transfered well to prints being shown on British TV. With a support cast containing Ethel Barrymore, Allyn Joslyn (excellent), Henry Morgan, Harry Carey Jr and a brief Lloyd Bridges, this is a recommended film of course. But I can't, and will not, vouch for the ending appeasing all comers. 7/10