A former hunting guide returns to the scene of the crime to recover riches and exact revenge, that scene, a desert mining operation in Diamantstad where two years prior the tracker had been brutally beaten for a client's misdeed. A compelling enough tale, especially when there is treasure involved, here, diamonds that practically sprout from the searing South African sands. Stars Burt Lancaster as that man on a mission, a departure from what had become his standard sap sort (Criss-Cross The-Killers), Mike Davis tough and savvy, giving first glimpse of the actor with glimmer in his eyes (Elmer-Gantry Atlantic-City). Boasts top support in Claude Rains as the conniving Colonial executive and Paul Henreid his sadistic police chief kept in check with a discreet black-ball, together completing the triangle of mistrust. Others include footballer Kenny Washington, Sam Jaffe as Doc (What else?), Mike Mazurki in a pitifully puny part, Peter Lorre is the gabby grifter (What else?) and comely Corinne Calvet (b. Paris) in her first Hollywood make as the femme fatale who blows swell. It's mini-reunion (Henreid Rains Lorre) might beg the title, Casablanca South (desert scenes filmed in Yuma), but that would be unfair to Paramount & director Dieterle (Jewel-Robbery) for Rope is a truly fine film with an ending that weights in charm (Here, catch!) like the Cullinan in carats (3/4).
Review of Rope of Sand
