Review

This was the kind of film that was the bottom bill and I saw it when I was a teen. I don't recall precise plot points, but I remember the actors, and especially one, Mark Stevens. When he came on, I sat up straighter in my seat. Here was someone who I felt was going to be a star. He had that magnetism, that thing with the camera. Thomas Mitchell was a decent character actor who did good work in this and while I was not a fan, Edward Ryan was good as the rebellious son. And Mary Anderson, who did so many Bs, was okay, too. But Mark really stood out.

When I got home, I immediately wrote a fan letter to Mark Stevens, telling him I was sure I'd be seeing him starring in movies soon, that he was destined for stardom. I received a very friendly, appreciative letter from him and included was a gorgeous 8x10 photo of him, personally signed. (the studios seldom sent photos of that size.) And I was right--Mark was co-starring with Joan Fontaine a year later. And with her sister a year after.

That had to have been at least 68 years ago and I still have that photo. One evening I was watching a 50-some rerun of Murder She Wrote, not paying close attention, and I heard a voice. I knew that voice and I stared at the actor. He looked so familiar, an older, white haired man--and it dawned on me. Mark Stevens! I waited for the credits and yes, it was Mark.

So this film has been embedded in my brain all these years