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| Brothers: Richard Chamberlain; Jeff Richards |
THE SECRET OF THE PURPLE REEF (1960). Director: William Witney.
When a ship disappears in the Caribbean, and their brother is presumed dead, Mark Christophe (Jeff Richards of
Born Reckless) and his other brother, Dean (Richard Chamberlain), try to find out what happened. Does it have something to do with another ship that was scuttled in that area around the same time? And is a man named Tom Weber (Peter Falk of
Penelope) somehow mixed up in this? With the help of their late brother's pal, Tobias (Robert Earl Jones), they try to get information from the shifty loner Ashby (Terence de Marney) and from Weber's girlfriend, Rue Amboy (Margia Dean). But are the brothers asking too many questions?
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| Peter Falk and Margia Dean |
The Secret of the Purple Reef seems to have everything going for it: attractive leads, beautiful scenery, an interesting Calypso score, a fairly intriguing plot, and an experienced action director in serial specialist William Witney [
King of the Mounties]. But the script is a bit of a letdown and the movie never really catches fire. As well the action sequences lack that great exciting touch that Witney brought to his cliffhangers and other movies. Peter Falk gives an excellent performance, with de Marney and Jones (the father of James Earl Jones) also notable. Chamberlain and Richards look great and are competent. Margia Dean, sort of the love interest, is middle-aged, matronly, and completely miscast. This picture needed a really sexy lady to complement the two handsome leads.
Verdict: Such possibilities, but this just doesn't quite work. **.
3 comments:
Love Richard Chamberlain (imagine your surprise!) I'll put this one on the list!
-C
I'll never forget a TV series of a few years ago called, I think, "Brothers and Sisters." One character, Uncle Saul, is a senior citizen who finally comes out of the closet; even his gay nephew didn't know. Saul's very first boyfriend after coming out is -- Dr. Kildare!!! And Chamberlain still looked pretty good. I'm sure more guys would come out if they thought they'd get a boyfriend who looked like Dick Chamberlain!
I know, swoon. Dr Kildare!!
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