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Blood Alley

1955, Movie, NR, 115 mins

Blood Alley: Review

Another oriental adventure, typical of many made around this time. Wayne is a tough seafarer who is approached by the villagers of a Red Chinese hamlet. Bacall is the daughter of an American physician who was killed by the communists. She asks Wayne to take the villagers aboard a stolen ship and through "Blood Alley," the straits of Formosa, to the relative freedom of the British colony of Hong Kong. Once on water they are chased by a Chinese gunboat and buzzed by an enemy plane. Wayne orders the decks covered with food so that seagulls flock all over the ship, thus making it difficult to spot from the sky. More trouble arises when a destroyer attacks them and the boat is almost sunk, but all winds up well as the villagers get to safety and Wayne and Bacall declare their love for each other. If you can believe the Amazonian sexpot Anita Ekberg as an Asian, then you might enjoy this flag-waving film. If not, you'll find yourself laughing at the incredibility of it all. In the middle of everything, Joy Kim takes time out to sing two songs. How silly can you get? Wellman's direction and Wayne's steadfast belief in what he is doing are all that merit attention. leave a comment