DVD Review: Fox Fire (1955)

The first thing one notices with KINO’s new blu ray of Joseph Pevney’s “Fox Fire” are the striking visuals. The film opens with Jane Russell’s car having a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by negative space of Arizona location landscape that is visually stunning.

This was the last film to be shot in the three-strip Technicolor process, which adds further visual texture.

The story deals with Russell as privileged socialite Amanda Lawrence, who falls for, and marries, half-Apache Jonathan Dartland (Jeff Chandler). The story features Dartland as a miner who is searching in vain for a lost treasure in the long closed Fox Fire mine. It is this plot point that serves as the catalyst for exploring issues like macho posturing and class differences while also trying to investigate bridging the gap between a white girl and a Native American man.

Chandler is at his best here, even he himself stated in period interviews, "I don't have to be so darned monosyllabic in this one." Jane Russell is also great as the socialite, wavering effectively between toughness and tenderness as each scene demands. Dan Duryea rings true as a gregarious drunken doctor on the site, Mara Corday is the younger, attractive romantic conflict, and Frieda Insecort chews the scenery with special aplomb as Amanda’s haughty mother. The film is rounded out by welcome veterans like Barton MacLane, Arthur Space, and Dabbs Greer.

There are some snappy witticisms, scenes of great dramatic tension, and solid potboiler action. But some of the best moments of the film are when Ms. Russell is working intimately opposite either Chandler or Duryea. The drunken doctor’s ability to embrace concerned seriousness, and the rugged manliness of the miner that checks every box of stereotyped masculinity in 50s cinema, help balance the scenes. At one point Amanda shouts, “Oh, you loan yourself to me to make love, but... But you didn't really need me. You're afraid to be in love my way!”

There are a few aspects to this film that go beyond its cinematic status. First, the title song, sung over the credits, is performed by Jeff Chandler himself, who co-wrote the number with Henry Mancini. Also, this was the film that was playing on the Andrea Doria when it was hit by an ocean liner in July of 1956.

Kino’s blu ray is visually beautiful, and includes audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger. Always offering fascinating insight with both knowledge and humor, Ms. Ellinger presents another commentary that enhances our enjoyment and appreciation of the film.

“Fox Fire” is available on blu ray here: “Fox Fire” (1955)