Malaya (1949)
After living abroad for several years, journalist John Royer returns to the United States just after the U.S. enters World War II. His boast that he could easily smuggle rubber, a key wartime natural resource, out of Malaya has him tasked with doing just that. He manages to get someone from his past, Carnaghan, sprung from Alactraz and together they head off to South East Asia posing as Irishmen. Once there, Carnaghan lines up some of his old cronies and with Royer and a few plantation owners plans to smuggle the rubber out from under the Japanese army's watchful eye.
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Wonderful character development!
Sadly Over-hyped
I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
I am so surprised that this movie was made in 1949. It plays much like war propaganda films made during the war. The story of the rubber shortage during the beginning of the war and some Americans and others getting involved to steal rubber in Malaysia. Spencer Tracy does some fine acting here. He also punches out several people and somehow it seems like he actually does. Valentina Cortese is the leading woman, she is even shorter than Tracy. James Stewart has a different type of role here as a brother trying to get revenge with the Japanese after his brother is killed in the war. Sydney Greenstreet is a bad guy whose playing both sides. Lionel Barrymore has a brief role early in the film. John Hodiak is featured as Kellar.For some reason, when the film ends, it has the feel of what might have been a war propaganda film. This might be because the story was written by Manchester Boddy who wrote a film called "Mr. Blabbermouth" which was one of those films. Frank Fenton converted it for the screen as he did other films often in the 1950's.
WW2-set story about a plot to smuggle rubber out of Japanese-occupied Malaya. Reporter Jimmy Stewart, whose brother was killed by the Japanese, enlists in the war and is tasked with the smuggling operation, a nearly impossible mission he boasts he can do easily with the help of an old friend. That friend being Spencer Tracy, currently serving time at Alcatraz.Watchable time-killer that's a bit of a disappointment given the cast. Notable for being the final film of Sydney Greenstreet. Despite his failing health at this time, Greenstreet is still the most lively actor in the bunch. Tracy and Stewart are just going through the motions, not that the dull script or pedestrian direction do much to help them. Also the last film Stewart made with Lionel Barrymore, whose part is unfortunately small.
This is a Classic film that can be seen over and over again. Spencer Tracy, " Devil at 4 O'Clock,'61", gave an outstanding performance trying to obtain rubber from a jungle infested with the Japanese Army during WWII and working hand in hand with his buddy James Stewart,"The Shootist",'76, in order to accomplish their mission with romance and plenty of action. Sydney Greenstreet," The Woman in White",'48 gave his last performance in this film and played the owner of a cafe and lived up to a great supporting role. This entire picture had great supporting actors, Barrymore, Roland and Winters. If you love Classic films, don't miss this one!
Stewart gets Tracy out of jail to steal rubber from the Japs in Malaya during WWII. Not too much violence for a war movie but loads of adventure and twists. Obviously they'll succeed but not without a lot of conflict and action. The kind of movie you'll want to see several times because it's one of the best war movies ever made. Excellent acting, dialog, cinematography and direction. About the best actors possible to get into one movie. Wish it was on video tape.