Superficially, an unusual noir, set in an unusual location, with Alan Ladd and William Bendix unusually cast as commercial pilots, working out of Calcutta. Beyond the final credits, it's the superficial, rather than the unusual, which leaves a pervading after taste.
The two flyers undertake some serious detective work following the shocking and unfathomable murder of buddy and fellow pilot John Whitney. Their investigations lead to a gambling joint run by smarmy, oily Lowell Gilmore and to Whitney's girlfriend, bewitched, bothered and bewildered Gail Russell. The trio of key characters is completed by mysterious, shifty Paul Singh. If 'Calcutta' is to be believed, one of comparatively few Indians resident in the city. His beady eyes and smug, evasive, answer for everything demeanour land him firmly on Ladd and Bendix's radar.
Singh is also central to one of the movie's more playful moments, sprinting across the tarmac in hot pursuit of a rapidly departing plane, whilst pilot Bendix gazes on quizzically.
There is something lightweight and one dimensional about 'Calcutta'. Even the violent finale is more snuggle up on the sofa with a mug of cocoa than perch on the edge of a seat chewing yer fingernails. The paramountly watchable Ladd, the ever likeable Bendix and the exemplary female leads gamely endeavour to curry audience favour, but the results are seldom more than pleasantly palettable. The reality is that 'Calcutta' barely generates enough spice to make a chicken korma.
The two flyers undertake some serious detective work following the shocking and unfathomable murder of buddy and fellow pilot John Whitney. Their investigations lead to a gambling joint run by smarmy, oily Lowell Gilmore and to Whitney's girlfriend, bewitched, bothered and bewildered Gail Russell. The trio of key characters is completed by mysterious, shifty Paul Singh. If 'Calcutta' is to be believed, one of comparatively few Indians resident in the city. His beady eyes and smug, evasive, answer for everything demeanour land him firmly on Ladd and Bendix's radar.
Singh is also central to one of the movie's more playful moments, sprinting across the tarmac in hot pursuit of a rapidly departing plane, whilst pilot Bendix gazes on quizzically.
There is something lightweight and one dimensional about 'Calcutta'. Even the violent finale is more snuggle up on the sofa with a mug of cocoa than perch on the edge of a seat chewing yer fingernails. The paramountly watchable Ladd, the ever likeable Bendix and the exemplary female leads gamely endeavour to curry audience favour, but the results are seldom more than pleasantly palettable. The reality is that 'Calcutta' barely generates enough spice to make a chicken korma.