Richard Chatten
Another thrill ride from Andrew & Virginia Stone that with the aid of veteran cameraman William Clothier provides a triple feast for the eyes in the form of the lush verdant hills of Oregon, foxy beat girl Joyce Taylor and a final conflagration that makes the burning of Atlanta in 'Gone with the Wind' look like a rehearsal. Miss Taylor in her skinny jeans, long-life lipstick, permanent wave and a white blouse that remains spotless almost until the very end is supposed to be underage (she was actually in her late twenties) but exudes a mischievous knowingness worthy of Louise Brooks; and she and David Janssen bring a humour as dry as the local brush to their scenes together as she decides she digs him more than the two punks with whom she's previously been wasting her time. As I write this fire fighters are ironically still struggling to keep under control some of the worst wildfires in living memory now ravaging Saddleworth Moor in North West England, so keep watching what you do with those discarded cigarette ends.
Martha Wilcox
Here we have David Janssen in colour as a cop before he went on to run away from the cops in 'The Fugitive'. Even with his uniform, he doesn't look or act like a policeman. He is forever a fugitive in his soul because he always has that wandering look in his eyes as though he's not quite settled in the here and now.There are some unresolved issues in this film. If the girl is under eighteen and that it's illegal for a police officer to kiss her, why doe she kiss her at the end? She is seductive whilst he's on duty, but he doesn't show restraint. The film also doesn't make up its mind whether or not it's a film about kidnapping, under-age petting or forest fires. In fact, it's about nothing in particular, and unless you want to see Janssen in colour before 'The Fugitive' I would say stay away from this film.
wgregh
Seems most reviewers have a strong connection to southwestern Wash. State or northern Ore. as reasons they like the film. I live in Seattle, but have little to say about the geography. But I am amazed how 'naughty' this film is for 1961! And the double entendres coming out of Chickee-Pooh's lips are so funny, e.g. something like "'That daddy's a (something-something) beatin' off dead beat!" and other nasty-talk from her (one about 'balling'). She should have her mouth washed out with Gleem, or even Mr. Clean!I think the U.S. Forest Service must have negotiated into the script a "Only YOU Prevent Forest Fires!" but couldn't get Smokey the Bear into the script to finger-point, since it would seem a bit unbelievable to have Yogi or any other bear talking in a drama. So instead David J. gets a line off about a still-lit fag not being squashed out, and later a still-lit cigarette a future problem.All-in-all, it's a sleeper and I'm going to bed.
Kirasjeri
An Oregon Police Sgt (an intense David Jansen) is surprised and kidnapped by two thugs and a babe who then go on a journey for freedom through the deep forests of Oregon. There are escape attempts, a death, a turning of the tables, and possible "intimate relations" with the pulchritudinous babe (Joyce Taylor, who is supposed to be "under 18" but looks 26). The movie climaxes with the entire forest and town being burned down and everyone, including hundreds of townsfolk, desperate to escape. An exciting movie, with menace and threat maintained thoroughout. Frank Gorshin is notable as the #1 thug (his pre-impressions days). A good movie.
AD
