During His 2-Decade Career as an Actor, Following His Heroism in WWII (most decorated including MOH),
the Good-Looking, Baby-Faced Audie Murphy, seemed to be Straight From the "Matinee Idol" Manual at "Hollywood Central Casting".
What's Not to Like? A Match Made in Heaven! A War-Hero, with Killer Good-Looks, Plenty of Charisma, Fresh?, from the Battlefield, Ready to Follow a New Path of Civillain Life in America that was a Fertile Growing Ground for the Citizens that Served Their Country Honorably.
Well, PTSD was a Neglected "Stigma" that Hurt a Lot of Soldier's Dreams and "Paths"...
"Murph", was Not Shielded from the Post-War Adjustments that Many found Challenging.
Dealing with a Little Researched Phenomena (once called "Battle-Shock" or "Battle-Fatigue) and the "Mental-Health" Resources was Still a "Work In Progress", to Say the Least.
So there was that...The Recurring "Nightmares" that Resulted in a .45 Under the Pillow, a Gambling Addiction Along with Poor Money-Management, a "Hair-Trigger" Violent Temper, and a "Lost-Soul" Demeanor were some of the Coping in Store for the Returning Vet on His Road to Full-Fill the"American-Dream.
In the 50's He Enjoyed Many Successes Making Movies.
His Films were Patronized and Enjoyed by Movie-Goers, but Usually Not with Critics, were Always Money-Makers with Good to Excellent Box-Office.
Most of His Movies, though Not All, were Rightfully Called "B-Movies", the Majority were Westerns with a "Sprinkle" of Other Genres in the Mix.
Audie Murphy was Understandably Reluctant to "Star"in and Avoided Making "War" Movies,
although His Auto-Biography "To Hell and Back" (1955), where "Murph" Played Himself was a Critical and Fan Favorite.
The Talented and Under-Rated Actor Only Made 2 Other "War-Movies", this is 1, although He does Play a Civilian Contractor.
He is Supplying Guns and Ammo, and Other Aid to the Philippines and Their Fight Against the "Jap-Invaders".
He is Also Searching for His Estranged Wife (Gloria Michaels) that He Hasn't Seen Since the Honeymoon. He Finds Her on One of the Islands.
Thinking He was Dead (after 2 Years) She is Now "In-Love" with a "Freedom Fighter" (Gary Crosby, Son of Bing). Unfortunately, a Second "Battle" has Been Engaged.
It Won't be as Bloody as the One on the Beach, but Just as Volatile and Important to the Story. Directed by Herbert Coleman, Known for "Associate Producer" Roles, Notably with Hitchcock,
the Much-Maligned Script was Written by Richard Maibaum who went to Fame and Fortune Penning James Bond Movies.
This is Low on the "Audie Murphy Filmography Scale" that No-One has Anything Good to Say About. It's Not Bad, It's just Not that Good.
The Romantic Triangle is Awkward. Where the Movie Succeeds is Giving a Voice to the Philippine People,
and the Bloody Beach Battle Delivers the Goods, with an Off-Beat Death of Murphy's Friend and Resistant-Leader, Alejandro Rey.
Despite the Hatred of the Many...
Worth a Watch.
the Good-Looking, Baby-Faced Audie Murphy, seemed to be Straight From the "Matinee Idol" Manual at "Hollywood Central Casting".
What's Not to Like? A Match Made in Heaven! A War-Hero, with Killer Good-Looks, Plenty of Charisma, Fresh?, from the Battlefield, Ready to Follow a New Path of Civillain Life in America that was a Fertile Growing Ground for the Citizens that Served Their Country Honorably.
Well, PTSD was a Neglected "Stigma" that Hurt a Lot of Soldier's Dreams and "Paths"...
"Murph", was Not Shielded from the Post-War Adjustments that Many found Challenging.
Dealing with a Little Researched Phenomena (once called "Battle-Shock" or "Battle-Fatigue) and the "Mental-Health" Resources was Still a "Work In Progress", to Say the Least.
So there was that...The Recurring "Nightmares" that Resulted in a .45 Under the Pillow, a Gambling Addiction Along with Poor Money-Management, a "Hair-Trigger" Violent Temper, and a "Lost-Soul" Demeanor were some of the Coping in Store for the Returning Vet on His Road to Full-Fill the"American-Dream.
In the 50's He Enjoyed Many Successes Making Movies.
His Films were Patronized and Enjoyed by Movie-Goers, but Usually Not with Critics, were Always Money-Makers with Good to Excellent Box-Office.
Most of His Movies, though Not All, were Rightfully Called "B-Movies", the Majority were Westerns with a "Sprinkle" of Other Genres in the Mix.
Audie Murphy was Understandably Reluctant to "Star"in and Avoided Making "War" Movies,
although His Auto-Biography "To Hell and Back" (1955), where "Murph" Played Himself was a Critical and Fan Favorite.
The Talented and Under-Rated Actor Only Made 2 Other "War-Movies", this is 1, although He does Play a Civilian Contractor.
He is Supplying Guns and Ammo, and Other Aid to the Philippines and Their Fight Against the "Jap-Invaders".
He is Also Searching for His Estranged Wife (Gloria Michaels) that He Hasn't Seen Since the Honeymoon. He Finds Her on One of the Islands.
Thinking He was Dead (after 2 Years) She is Now "In-Love" with a "Freedom Fighter" (Gary Crosby, Son of Bing). Unfortunately, a Second "Battle" has Been Engaged.
It Won't be as Bloody as the One on the Beach, but Just as Volatile and Important to the Story. Directed by Herbert Coleman, Known for "Associate Producer" Roles, Notably with Hitchcock,
the Much-Maligned Script was Written by Richard Maibaum who went to Fame and Fortune Penning James Bond Movies.
This is Low on the "Audie Murphy Filmography Scale" that No-One has Anything Good to Say About. It's Not Bad, It's just Not that Good.
The Romantic Triangle is Awkward. Where the Movie Succeeds is Giving a Voice to the Philippine People,
and the Bloody Beach Battle Delivers the Goods, with an Off-Beat Death of Murphy's Friend and Resistant-Leader, Alejandro Rey.
Despite the Hatred of the Many...
Worth a Watch.