Sadly Over-hyped

Admirable film.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This low budget mystery thriller is intriguing right from the start and becomes incredibly tense following the unexplained disappearance of one of its main characters. The atmosphere steadily becomes more threatening and the presence of a number of rather suspicious-looking individuals soon fuels a profound sense of paranoia that continues to grow until the story's denouement finally provides some important explanations for what's transpired.Newly-married Ruth Bowman (Jeanne Crain) and her husband John (Carl Betz) seem in good spirits at the start of their honeymoon on the ocean liner "S.S.Monrovia" as John carries Ruth over the threshold of their cabin B-16. After the stewardess who was arranging flowers in their room leaves, John tells Ruth that he's going to leave some cash with the Purser for safekeeping and arranges to meet her in the ship's main-deck bar in 15 minutes. When he doesn't turn up as arranged, Ruth visits the Purser who tells her that he hasn't seen John. She then returns to cabin B-16 which she finds locked and is told by the steward that B-16 hasn't been booked by anyone for this voyage. The Purser is then called and confirms from his passenger list that Ruth's reservation (which had been made in her maiden name) was actually for cabin B-18. At this point, she becomes very confused and distressed and so the ship's doctor is called.The good natured Dr Paul Manning (Michael Rennie) makes some enquiries and everyone he speaks to, including the stewardess Anna Quinn (Mary Anderson), deny having seen John. In view of the circumstances, Manning takes Ruth to see Captain Peters (Willis Bouchey) who arranges for the ship to be searched but also doesn't seem to believe her story. His scepticism increases when the search proves to be fruitless and it emerges that Ruth doesn't have a passport, a ticket or even a wedding ring in her possession.Ruth is surprised when she receives a telephone call from John who tells her that they're both in danger and that she should trust no-one. This only increases her anguish and the presence of a sinister-looking elderly gentleman with a cane, a steward whose manner is rather strange and a wealthy divorcee who tells her that "husbands can get lost so easily", only add to her discomfort and her reliance on Dr Manning to solve the mystery of what's happened to John and also to discover the reason for his disappearance."Dangerous Crossing" is well-paced, skilfully directed and claustrophobic and the whole production is held together by the radiant Jeanne Crain who's at the centre of everything that happens. Her ability to convey the degree of Ruth's torment without going over the top is very impressive and Michael Rennie does well as the handsome doctor who's unwittingly closer to the solution to the mystery than he could ever be expected to realize. With its fine supporting cast, superb cinematography and unsettling atmosphere, this is an enjoyable thriller that's both gripping and guaranteed not to disappoint.

Well I understand by reading the reviews this film is not everyone's cup of tea. I however enjoyed it very much.The lovely, vivacious Jeanne Crain plays, Ruth Stanton, now Ruth Bowman after a whirlwind courtship with Carl Betz set off for Europe on a luxury passenger liner for their honeymoon.I love these old gem's which are not too long, full of thrills and mystery but at the same time, not too taxing on the brain.Quick synopsis, Mr Bowman vanishes shortly after the ship sets sail and seemingly nobody is aware of his existence. Ruth, spends most of the film helped considerably by the ship's doctor, played admirably by Michael Rennie, searching for clues to his whereabouts.Anyway without giving anything away the film reaches a very satisfactory conclusion. Great way to spend a leisurely hour or so.

I could only award this film 4/10 as I found it very irritating on several counts, (despite unfettered praise from nearly all your other reviewers).Perhaps the screenwriter, Leo Townsend, should be blamed as he made the character of Ruth (Jeanne Crain) needy, neurotic, paranoid, melodramatic and rather wet.I brightened up when Dr Paul Manning (Michael Rennie) slapped her face to bring her to her senses at one stage.Also irritating was the stock footage of "The Queen Mary" posing as an American cruise liner, the producer should have picked a less recognisable vessel as it grated on me to hear American crew accents on a British liner! I disliked how Jeanne Crain's character kept drawing attention to herself and monopolising nearly all the time of the ship's doctor.When did Dr Paul Manning find time for his other patients?Jeanne Crain's character in this film continued to give women a bad name, being pathetic, standing on the sidelines while the "baddie" grappled with the "goodie" by the ship's rail at the denouement.The evil stewardess' character was insufficiently dramatised.Ruth obviously should have lived with her fiancée much longer to learn about his true character.As a previous reviewer stated "Marry in haste - Repent at leisure".The director/producer must also take a large part of the blame for this "B" picture.

Wow! What a great little noir. Apparently made utilising sets from 'Titanic' and 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', films made the same year, this is a great example of fast (three weeks shooting) low budget film making. Not a wasted frame, this spooky, thrilling mystery, looks good all the time and many shots are exceptional. Lots of shadowy, foggy or against the light close-ups and a sensational sequence in the ballroom. All menace and subterfuge as we begin to feel that Jeanne Crain's character is surely going to break down despite the restrained and reassuring Michael Rennie, who doesn't even get a kiss. The film races along and has your attention all the time. Set on an ocean liner we do not get the dark streets and lamplight shadows but Newman certainly makes the most of what he's got; the drone of the foghorn, the swirling fog itself and a slew of fellow travellers Crain is not too sure about. And nor are we! Splendid.