Blast from the Past: Karl Malden’s Only Directing Effort
Karl Malden stated, “I preferred being a good actor to being a fairly good director,” and, indeed, judging by the artistic quality of Time Limit, the only movie he had directed, his self-evaliuation was valid.
Grade: B-
Richard Widmark co-produced and stars in this legal military drama, based on the 1956 Broadway play of the same name by Henry Denker and Ralph Berkey.
Widmark plays Colonel William Edwards who is investigating the case of Major Harry Cargill (Richard Basehart), accused of collaborating with the enemy while they were held captive in North Korean prisoner of war camp.
Cargill admits his an act of treason, showing vidence that proves that he signed a germ-warfare confession and broadcast anti-American speeches over the radio.
Cargill’s refusal to defend himself appears to be inexplicable. His collaboration followed the deaths of two of his soldiers, and the unit’s survivors recite an identical rehearsed account of those deaths.
Edwards’ commander, General Connors (Carl Benton Reid), shows strong interes as his son, Captain Joe Connors (Yale Wexler), was one of those who died. He therefore presses Edwards to recommend court-martial, but Edwards refuses to accept facile explanations.
Lieutenant George Miller (Rip Torn) reveals that, after Lieutenant Harvey (Manning Ross) was killed, the rest of the men discovered that, under torture, Captain Connors had betrayed him, and decided to execute Connors; Miller strangled him.
Their captor Colonel Kim (Khigh Dhiegh) demands that Cargill give in, or else his men would be executed, ad Cargill submitst.
Cargill holds that there must be a time limit on being a hero, denouncing the Uniform Code of Military Justice espoused by General Connors for demanding too much from soldiers. While Cargill anguished over the lives of 16 men, commanders are expected to anguish over the impact of their orders on the lives of thousands.
Middle of the Road Conclusion
Although Cargill acted out of a humane selflessness, his judgment was deemed flawed. While Edwards recommends for the charges be dropped, he warns Cargill about a court-martial, in which he himself will defend Cargill.
Parting with a gentlemanly handshake, Edwards tells him, “Maybe they won’t come up with all the answers,” but “they’ll know we asked the questions.”
Widmark paid $100,000 to The Theatre Guild for the rights to film the play “Time Limit,” the first outing by his independent company, Heath Productions.
While the direction is reasonably taut, most of what you see on screen is effective acting by a skillful ensemble, especially Richard Basehart. Visually, the tale is unimpressice, with Malden showing little interest in opening up the play, or movng the camera beyond the minimal requirement.
The few outdoor scenes were shot on location at Fort Jay, an active Army on Governors Island, New York. The opening scene shows Colonel Edwards passing through Liggett Hall. The Korean prison camp scenes were shot at the Conejo Ranch in Agoura, California.
Cast
Richard Widmark as Colonel William Edwards
Richard Basehart as Major Harry Cargill
Dolores Michaels as Corporal Jean Evans
June Lockhart as Mrs. Cargill
Carl Benton Reid as General Connors
Martin Balsam as Sergeant First Class Baker
Rip Torn as Lieutenant George Miller
Khigh Dhiegh as Colonel Kim (as Kaie Deei)
Yale Wexler as Captain Joe Connors
Alan Dexter as Mike
Manning Ross as Lieutenant Harvey
Joe Di Reda as Gus (as Joe Di Rida)
James Douglas as Steve
Kenneth Alton as Boxer
Jack Webster as Lieutenant Harper
