Moonrise (1948)

Danny is being despised by his schoolmates because his father was accused to have killed another man and is condemned to the death penalty.

Director:

Frank Borzage

Writers:

Charles F. Haas (screenplay) (as Charles Haas), Theodore Strauss (novel)

Stars:

Dane Clark, Gail Russell, Ethel Barrymore

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dane Clark	...	Danny Hawkins
Gail Russell	...	Gilly Johnson
Ethel Barrymore	...	Grandma
Allyn Joslyn	...	Sheriff Clem Otis
Rex Ingram	...	Mose
Harry Morgan	...	Billy Scripture (as Henry Morgan)
David Street	...	Ken Williams
Selena Royle	...	Aunt Jessie
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Jimmy Biff
Irving Bacon	...	Judd Jenkins
Lloyd Bridges	...	Jerry Sykes
Houseley Stevenson	...	Uncle Joe Jingle
Phil Brown	...	Elmer - Soda Jerk
Harry Cheshire	...	J.B. Sykes (as Harry V. Cheshire)
Lila Leeds	...	Julie

Storyline

Danny Hawkins, who lives in a psychological shadow because his father died by a hangman's noose, accidentally kills a man in a fight over a girl, Gilly Johnson, and is afraid to notify the police. He wins the love of the girl but when she tries to influence him to admit his guilt, he runs away.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | african american | interracial friendship | car accident | compact | 

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Taglines:

HER ARMS...HER LOVE...HIS ONLY ESCAPE FROM A HERITAGE OF HATE! (original poster -all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 October 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frank Borzage's Moonrise

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$849,452 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I), Marshall Grant, Chas. K. Feldman Group Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lillian Gish had been considered for a leading female role.

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Quotes

Sheriff Clem Otis: Sure is remarkable how dying can make a saint of a man.

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Connections

Referenced in Moving Pictures (2016)

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Soundtracks

Lonesome
Lyrics by Theodore Strauss
Music by William Lava
Performed by Rex Ingram

User Reviews

An intriguing and highly evocative film that defies easy categorization

Although the story could have easily been adapted into a gritty film noir, director Frank Borzage turns it into a dreamlike, and even romantic, saga of guilt and expiation. The plot is simple and uncomplicated. No cynical, wisecracking dialogue; no hard-boiled detectives or double-crossing femme fatales. The small town setting with frequent rural scenes creates a world far removed from the unusual noir cityscape. The love story unfolds with both strong sexual attraction and delicacy. Imbued with a strong atmosphere and vision all its own, MOONRISE resists easy classification. Like THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, it succeeds in creating a drama of mythic resonance in an American rural setting.