Five Came Back

Director: John Farrow John Farrow

Overview

A plane carrying twelve passengers crashes in a South American jungle. While working to repair the plane, they discover that it will only carry five back to safety. As the war drums of headhunters move closer, the passengers fight and deceive to be one of those who survive.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/23/2015
UPC:	0888574280321
Original Release:	1939
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:15:00
Sales rank:	21,651

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Chester Morris	Bill
Lucille Ball	Peggy Nolan
Wendy Barrie	Alice Melhorne
John Carradine	Crimp
Allen Jenkins	Peter
Joseph Calleia	Vasquez
C. Aubrey Smith	Prof. Henry Spengler
Kent Taylor	Joe Brooks
Patric Knowles	Judson Ellis
Elisabeth Risdon	Martha Spengler,Martha Spengler
Casey Johnson	Tommy Mulvaney
Dick Hogan	Larry
Frank Faylen	Press Photographer
Roy Webb	Composer

Technical Credits

Nathaniel West

Dalton Trumbo

Jerry Cady

John Farrow	Director
Nathaniel West	Screenwriter
Dalton Trumbo	Screenwriter
Robert Sisk	Producer
Vernon L. Walker	Special Effects,Special Effects
Jerry Cady	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The premise of Five Came Back is one that audiences have seen countless variations on in the decades since the film was released -- and indeed, it probably wasn't totally fresh in 1939. This familiarity works against Five, but if a viewer can overlook the predictability factor, he is very likely to find himself hooked and enjoying it, even as he tells himself that he shouldn't. That's because the trio of screenwriters have done their work well; Five sets up the plot and works it through to its logical conclusion in a tight, professional manner. If it leaves little room for character development and falls back on stereotypes, it still works, thanks to John Farrow's excellent direction. Lean and focused, Farrow's work is all about propulsion, making an asset of the film's short running time to create tension and atmosphere. He is aided by a fine cast that works together like a well oiled machine. Special mention must be made of Lucille Ball, if only because the performance is a departure for those who know her mostly from her television work. Five gets a little rushed toward the end, and its "B" movie origins are obvious in its artificial jungle sets, but overall it's a tidy and engrossing thriller.