Glen MacWilliams’ cinematography ensures you are always compelled by the interesting aquatic visuals of crashing waves, underwater fish eating lures, exploding ships in the distance, and hands reaching onboard. I was never bored watching these survivors bicker, argue, and fight each other with the reasonable people leading the way. Hitchcock’s direction is highly engaging with entertaining moments of levity and clarity that will shock you. Alfred Hitchcock does his famous one set location made famous in Rope (1948) earlier in Lifeboat with dazzling results. Lifeboat is gripping from sinking start to explosive finish for 96 minutes with swift cuts from editor extraordinaire Dorothy Spencer (Stagecoach, Foreign Correspondent, & Valley of the Dolls). Lifeboat’s entire cast is excellent and does not waste a minute of time. William Bendix is great as the ever dying Gus, whose world is shattered when he realizes his lover Rose will not want a man with one leg. Canada Lee is realistic and grounded in the reality of each moment as Joe. Mary Anderson is lovely and sincere as the concerned doctor Alice MacKenzie, who falls in love with the rational, kind, and charming Sparks, played by a young and handsome Hume Cronyn! Heather Angel is intriguing and moving as the devastated Mrs. He’s such an arrogant jerk that it’s funny when he falls for Tallulah Bankhead’s charms. Hodiak commands your attention with his righteous fury at the Nazis and stark authority as the forcefully elected skipper of the lifeboat. Henry Hull is fun as the rational and engaging businessman Rittenhouse, who is a great foil for the furious Kovac, played by a rugged and shirtless John Hodiak.

Slezak’s German and English dialogue is enthralling. Walter Slezak is amazing as the unconcerned and conniving German Captain Willy with his calm attitude, boisterous singing, and constant scheming for survival. Bankhead looks unbothered by her ordeals, which makes her presence in Lifeboat hilarious, fun, and alluring with every glance and sizzling word. Her flawless German accent is fun to listen to as she negotiates with the German man. Her every remark is astute as she tears down the male ego and frightened panic of the other survivors. She’s so beautiful, flirty, witty, intense, and captivating throughout Lifeboat.

Tallulah Bankhead steals the show in Lifeboat as the exuberant and ethereal Connie Porter. Jo Swerling’s screenplay is exciting with twists, hilarious with witty quips, and moving with raw emotional scenes. John Steinbeck’s story is fascinating and features a person from every walk of life stuck together on a life raft, each looking out for themselves or one another if they’re kind.

Hitchcock summarizes the feelings of the public during World War II in one boat.Īlfred Hitchcock’s wartime suspense thriller (1944) is equal parts a survival horror thriller about people trying to find land after a shipwreck, while a German Nazi is on board, as well as being a revealing drama picture about how humanity cannot get along in difficult situations. Surviving a Shipwreck with Tallulah Bankhead!

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