Backfire (1950) - Region 2 PAL

This film from 1950, lasting some 91 minutes, has something in common with "Somewhere in the Dark" (1946), both featuring a seemingly nice guy who turns out to be anything but.I was attracted to the title from the inclusion of two beauties, namely Virginia Mayo (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with Danny Kaye) and Viveca Lindfors (The Adventures of Don Juan with Errol Flynn - I much preferred Lindfors here as the Queen of Spain.)The plot for "Backfire" (where they have that title from is not clear, unless it has to do with spinal columns – could be somebody shares my coarse sense of humour?) is both intricate and suspenseful. Unfortunately the production employs an almost continuous audio backdrop that is both crass and overdone for volume, especially in scenes without dialogue. But even where dialogue is restricted to two persons the "music" feels obliged to be there and for what purpose heaven knows – there is enough drama without it! The strong American accents can be a little challenging at times, too. (Viveca Lindfors offers soft relief.)Two ex-military pals (Gordon MacRae and Edmond O'Brien) have plans to get their hands on a ranch and to work it for high profit but one of them, MacRae, has suffered a back injury requiring multiple surgery that could put him out of action for a year or more. Just prior to his leaving hospital O'Brien calls on him at the hospital where he meets Nurse Virginia Mayo who has already "fallen for" her patient. Dismayed at the news of his hospitalised friend, O'Brien makes off and is not heard of for weeks, except via rumour, none of it to his credit.While heavily sedated, MacRae receives a visit (or so he imagines?) from the beautifully cloaked Viveca Lindfors who appeals to the bed-stricken man to assist her in locating their mutual friend, O'Brien.Matters become complicated when MacRae, having made a miraculous recovery from thirteen operations on his spinal column, leaves hospital and is immediately picked up by the police and taken to headquarters for questioning about his missing pal.Thenceforth the story proceeds via a series of flashbacks in which murder and intrigue are intertwined with other characters, notably the illusive Lou Walsh (actor's name withheld for "spoiler" reasons!).A high level of concentration is needed at times in order to make sense of sequence and events in these flashbacks, a task not helped by the absurdly overdone background/foreground audios.The final outcome might appear obvious from the outset, but a little prior to that event a big surprise is in store for you.Despite the background trash, I made it through to the end and so the effort must have been worth it.

Great, good condition and great to watch, only down side cannot read the cover, in Italian but otherwise good.