Deep Valley (1947)

★ 5.6 1h 44m IMDb

Drama Thriller Romance Crime

A shy California farm girl falls head-over-heels in love with Barry Burnett, a fugitive from a chain gang building a road through the wilderness.

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Cast

Ida Lupino as Libby Saul Died 1995 · Camberwell, London, UK Ida Lupino (4 February 1918 – 3 August 1995) was an English-American film actress and director, and a pioneer among women filmmakers. In her 48-year career, she appeared in 59 films and directed seven...

Dane Clark as Barry Burnette Died 1998 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dane Clark (February 26, 1912 – September 11, 1998) was an American film actor who was known for playing, as he labeled himself, "Joe Average"..

Wayne Morris as Jeff Barker Died 1959 · Los Angeles, California, USA Wayne Morris (February 17, 1914 – September 14, 1959), born Bert DeWayne Morris in Los Angeles, was an American film and television actor, as well as a decorated World War II fighter ace. He appeared...

Fay Bainter as Ellie Saul Died 1968 · Los Angeles, California, USA Fay Okell Bainter (December 7, 1893 – April 16, 1968) was an American film and stage actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Jezebel (1938) and has a star on the Hollywood W...

Henry Hull as Cliff Saul Died 1977 · Louisville, Kentucky, USA From Wikipedia Henry Watterson Hull (October 3, 1890 – March 8, 1977) was an American character actor most noted for playing the lead in Universal Pictures's Werewolf of London (1935). The film flop...

Willard Robertson as Sheriff Akers Died 1948 · Runnels, Texas, USA From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Willard Robertson (January 1, 1886 – April 5, 1948) was an American actor and writer. He appeared in 147 films between 1924 and 1948. He was born in Runnels, Tex...

Director Jean Negulesco

Cast Ida Lupino, Dane Clark, Wayne Morris, Fay Bainter, Henry Hull, Willard Robertson, John Alvin, Leonard Bremen, Ross Ford, Bob Lowell

John Chard 6/10 May 19, 2019

Ain't no valley low enough - Ain't no river wide enough.

Deep Valley is directed by Jean Negulesco and adapted to screenplay by Stephen Morehouse Avery and Salka Viertel from the novel written by Dan Totheroh. It stars Ida Lupino, Dane Clark and Wayne Morris. Music is by Max Steiner and cinematography by Ted McCord.

Libby Saul (Lupino) lives in a run down farm house with her unfeeling and estranged parents. Having developed a stammer due to her stmyied life, her only solace comes from walking in the woods with her dog. Then one day she happens upon a convict work party and takes interest in one of them, Barry Burnette (Clark).

He's free too...

Off the bat you have to be warned that this is very slow going for the first two thirds - almost painfully so. So with the story hardly being compelling in the first instance, or credible of course, it's on shaky ground and becomes tough to recommend with confidence. However, there's plenty to enjoy as it plods along and the final third is well worth waiting for.

The whole look of the piece is an atmospheric delight, McCord bringing some monochrome magic. The inside of the cottage is oppressive, director and cinematographer neatly marrying the visuals up to how Libby feels. Other scenes are pure visual treats, such as out in the barn as the sunlight shines through gaps in the wood to reveal a ghostly mist, or subtle shots like river ripples reflected onto Libby's face, there's enough tech skills on show to keep you interested. Add in yet another superb performance from Lupino and you should want to stay all the way here.

Narratively it comes down to finding love under trying circumstance, and that of the big decisions we face in life. Libby is faced with a choice, the bad boy or safe boy conundrum rearing its potent head. It all builds to a finale of substance that tantalises the heart and head in equal measure. No great film by any stretch of the imagination, the tech credits better than the actual play itself, but it warrants respect and worth a viewing for sure. 6/10