Underrated

Young, first time filmmakers come in all shapes and sizes, as do their movies. For some, precaution is the strategy of choice. Just make a film, however simple and straightforward, if mostly for the sole accomplishment of having one under one’s belt (which is more difficult than many believe). For others, a sampling of ostentation is opted for, in the hopes that their debut will stand out, modest budget be damned. The critical point in the latter case is the effect the movie will have on its viewership. American director Jack Bernhard never made it big, as the saying goes. His relatively short filmmaking career spanned all but four years, his efforts spent on what are commonly referred to as ‘poverty row’ pictures. Today, few, if any, would recognize the name, even among folk that describe themselves as film buffs, but who could blame them? All that being said, there is an indescribable quality about his feature debut, Decoy, from 1946. It possesses an unapologetic ebullience, a desire to shock and awe, even though its plotting rests on thin ice to put it mildly: http://www.cutprintfilm.com/features/columns/friday-noir/friday-noir-decoy/