Until recently, this obscure film from 20th Century Fox was often not even listed in the filmographies of its cast and crew. Thankfully, Fox released it as part of their Cinema Archives Collection, so that many lovers of classic movies can enjoy it.
The plot is simple and pretty straightforward, and of course everything is resolved in the end. The Oscar-nominated black and white cinematography (the exteriors were shot on location in Maine) has been nicely restored on the DVD print. Sound is fine, and the actors are believable in their roles. Dean Stockwell, as with many child actors of the classic era, was often cast as orphans looking for a place to belong. In this case, he is the son of a fisherman, but his social worker (Jean Peters) and the woman with whom he is placed (Anne Revere, who had played Stockwell's grandmother in the previous year's "Gentleman's Agreement"), try to keep on him on dry land, but the boy longs to be near the sea. Another complication is the fisherman (Dana Andrews) who Peters deeply loves and the feeling is mutual, but she cannot bring herself to accept his chosen profession. Rounding out the cast are Caesar Romero, Ed Begley, Mae Marsh and Will Geer. Dana Andrews was one of those underrated performers who never even received an Oscar nomination, although he most certainly deserved one. Anne Revere was blacklisted not long after this, a shame since she was such a wonderful and commanding presence on film. Jean Peters was a more than competent actress who worked with many of the great actors and stars of the era, but never really got the recognition she should have. Dean Stockwell is of course, still with us, and was one of the few child performers who made the successful transition to adult actor.
"Deep Waters" is no longer forgotten! Fine family viewing.
The plot is simple and pretty straightforward, and of course everything is resolved in the end. The Oscar-nominated black and white cinematography (the exteriors were shot on location in Maine) has been nicely restored on the DVD print. Sound is fine, and the actors are believable in their roles. Dean Stockwell, as with many child actors of the classic era, was often cast as orphans looking for a place to belong. In this case, he is the son of a fisherman, but his social worker (Jean Peters) and the woman with whom he is placed (Anne Revere, who had played Stockwell's grandmother in the previous year's "Gentleman's Agreement"), try to keep on him on dry land, but the boy longs to be near the sea. Another complication is the fisherman (Dana Andrews) who Peters deeply loves and the feeling is mutual, but she cannot bring herself to accept his chosen profession. Rounding out the cast are Caesar Romero, Ed Begley, Mae Marsh and Will Geer. Dana Andrews was one of those underrated performers who never even received an Oscar nomination, although he most certainly deserved one. Anne Revere was blacklisted not long after this, a shame since she was such a wonderful and commanding presence on film. Jean Peters was a more than competent actress who worked with many of the great actors and stars of the era, but never really got the recognition she should have. Dean Stockwell is of course, still with us, and was one of the few child performers who made the successful transition to adult actor.
"Deep Waters" is no longer forgotten! Fine family viewing.