Storm Fear

Cornel Wilde, a minor icon of film noir, made his directorial debut in this 1955 hostage thriller set in an isolated farmhouse in the snowy hills, giving himself a meaty role that plays against his persona as a rugged man of action. Wilde is all confidence and charm as Charlie, a bank robber on the lam who hides out in the home of his brother (Dan Duryea), a bitter, failed writer living in a façade of a marriage. Accompanying Charlie is his partner in crime (Steven Hill), a borderline psychotic gunman who keeps everyone in line while Charlie plays at being peacemaker. The situation is complicated when old passions are reignited between Charlie and his sister-in-law (Jean Wallace, Wilde's wife), and he learns that her son, an excitable boy who instantly idolizes his exotic Uncle Charlie, is actually his own child. But even that knowledge doesn't stop Charlie from putting the innocent boy's life in danger to save his own skin. The heady storm of emotions and instincts playing out within close quarters anticipates the actual snowstorm that eventually sweeps through the mountains, trapping them in the wilderness. Independently produced on a low budget, Storm Fear makes the most of its limited resources and benefits from a great creative team, with a screenplay by Horton Foote, music by Elmer Bernstein, and Lee Grant and Dennis Weaver in supporting roles. Newly remastered for DVD and Blu-ray, this interesting film noir entry is recommended. (S. Axmaker)