Review of Bury Me Dead

I gave this one a poor rating in my book, "Mystery, Suspense, Film Noir and Detective Movies on DVD". I'd now like to revise that rating from poor to excellent. This time around, it seemed a little masterpiece of "B" noir, with an intriguing and moderately suspenseful script, fine acting from all the players, particularly sulky Cathy O'Donnell (her role is small, but she makes a vivid impression), and muscle-man Greg McClure (this was his first film after playing the title role in 1945's The Great John L.). The lead, June Lockhart, and the little-known Mark Daniels, plus the appropriately cast Rev. Hugh Beaumont, also contribute strong performances. But in addition to the suspenseful script, the intriguing acting and the moody direction, the film makes excellent use of the trend-setting talents of John Alton, one of Hollywood's most admired (by actors, producers, directors and fellow cinematographers) and most reviled (by grips, electricians and other lighting technicians) cameramen. In this one, Alton's moody black and white photography captures the essence, the excitement, the emotional suspense of film noir to a "T".