What a wonderful gem.

I had a little trouble getting into Moonrise. I felt Dane Clark's performance in the early scenes was just a tad heavy and the score was just a tad obtrusive. But I am so glad I stuck with it. It just got better and better and I was all choked up by the end. I didn't want it to end, I wanted to crawl right into the movie and live there.

You won't see finer cinematography or ensemble acting in any movie. I loved the outdoor scenes, all dense foliage and mysterious shadows or else an evocation of a small town in what is now a bygone era. The interiors were all wonderfully individualized.

Allyn Joslyn was marvelous as the thoughtful and sensible sheriff, Henry Morgan was truly touching, all the more impressive bnecause his part was wordless. Rex Ingram was particularly effective, acting almost as a Greek chorus commenting on the action and also as the voice of Danny's conscience. And I'm torn between who was more luminous, the lovely Gail Russell or the equally lovely Ethel Barrymore (in what was really just a cameo).

Truly an outstanding movie. I cannot recommend it too highly.


"The night was sultry."