High Explosive (1943)
1h 3m | PG-13
Mike Douglas (Barry Sullivan), owner of a nitroglycerin concern hires his old friend "Buzz" Mitchell (Chester Morris), a race-driver of midget-auto cars who has been banned from racing, to go to work hauling nitro. "Buzz" makes a play for Connie Baker (Jean Parker), Mike's secretary and girlfriend, and also for Doris Lynch (Barbara Lynn), fiancée of Connie's younger brother, Jimmy ('Rand Brooks'), and gets Jimmy to replace him on a dangerous nitro haul and Jimmy, of course, has an accident and gets killed. But "Buzz" finds a way to redeem himself. The hard way.
Director: Frank McDonald
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Action, Drama
Video: 720p
Cast
Chester Morris
as Buzz Mitchell
Jean Parker
as Connie Baker
Barry Sullivan
as Mike Douglas
Ralph Sanford
as Squinchy Andrews
Rand Brooks
as Jimmy Baker
Dick Purcell
as Dave
Reviews
Barry Sullivan is a sort of Red Adair type, his company uses high explosives to put out dangerous fires. He recruits his old pal "Buzz" (Chester Morris) to help ship the nitro around and is rewarded by his pal hitting on his girlfriend "Connie" (Jean Parker) and on his younger brother's "Doris" (Barbara Lynn) too! Things don't quite go to plan for our Lothario and when tragedy ensues whilst he is shirking his duties, he has some making up to do! This has nothing memorable about it at all. it's a workmanlike vehicle for an engaging enough Morris with some decent pyrotechnics, a well travelled storyline and an efficient production that has a few (laboured) jokes before quite a strong last five minutes when it all comes to a head. Kills an hour.