Mara Maru

Gregory (Errol Flynn) has received word from his partner to return. But when he arrives, his partner isn't waiting for him but is out getting drunk. Not only that, the man is surly and threatens Gregory. What gives? Obviously the partner did NOT contact him but someone else. But who and why? Well, before these questions can be answered, all sorts of stuff happens to poor Gregory. First, his partner is found dead and he is accused of the killing. Second, someone lights Gregory's boat ablaze...killing a young mate in the process. Soon, all sorts of disreputable characters show up and want Gregory to help them with a treasure hunt...but it seems very, very likely that they mean to do him harm.

This is a decent noir-like film. My only gripes are that it enjoyable but should have been more enjoyable given the plot. And, the ending to me felt like a movie ending...but not necessarily a believable one. Worth seeing but easy to miss as well.

Or maybe it was a crappy Garfield movie.

Point is, it's the typical low-budget B&W Warner Brothers affair where characters sit around in bars or living rooms talking about what they had done or plan to do, but very little action happens on-screen.

I will go to my grave insisting that Flynn was vastly under-estimated, trapped by his semi-literate movie-going fans eager to see him waving his sword around while wearing fancy get-up. Even in mediocre movies like this one, where he was probably forced to do it because the government had succeeded in putting Garfield in his grave and Bogart probably had more trouble than Flynn staying sober, Flynn is invested in his role and fully inhabits his character.

Raymond Burr turns in another stellar performance. He was the pre-eminent bad guy of 50s film, wasn't he? He must have had one h3ck of an agent to spin that resume into nice guy lawyer Perry Mason on TV.

Ruth Roman's bra is the gratuitous love interest. Paul Picerni plays Bela Lugosi's accent. Dan Seymour for some reason is a police lieutenant in The Phillipines. Maybe they don't mind fat ham over there.

I was tired of it by the time everyone set sail for the treasure. But I stuck with it because this is Errol Flynn's turn as the TCM Star of the Month and I am determined to watch all of them - from the classics, through the over-looked gems, to the routine, and all the way to the dogs.

Gregory Mason (Errol Flynn) is a salvage diver in post-war Manila. His business partner and war buddy Andy Callahan is a drunk. Andy's wife Stella is tired of it. Andy claims to have a treasure and cuts him out as a partner. Gregory's properties get ransacked. Andy turns up dead and Gregory is the main suspect. Soon, rich local Brock Benedict (Raymond Burr) wants to hire him to look for the treasure.

I had hoped for better as the movie moves pass the first act. It seems ready to get going but something is holding it back. Raymond Burr has a threatening presence but his character is rarely that threatening. There is some bad Filipino acting. While I applaud the inclusiveness, it's not enough to get just anybody. The last act has some fun action but it comes and it goes. The storm is great backdrop but it only works in the tank. The underwater work needs more tension. There are great moments but the sequencing is a little wrong. Manuelo stumbling to the church is actually a great visual scene. It might be better to leave that being the ending. At times, the movie struggles with its melodramatic B-movie sensibilities.

Errol Flynn plays "Mason" co-owner of a salvage operstion based in Manila.His partner ,Callahan ,is a drunk who claims that he has the key to a fortune in lost diamonds ,sunk on board a vessel fleeing Manila before the Japanese occupation.When he is murdered suspicion falls on Mason especially when it becomes clear there is a mutual attraction between him and Callahan's widow (Ruth Roman ).Cleared of murder by the testimony of a private eye ,Ranier (well played by Paul Picerni)he is hired by the wealthy Benedict (Raymond Burr )to track down the treasure. The scene is set for betrayal ,shipwreck and a lively climax in the catacombs under Manila Cathedral. The movie sags a little in the underwater scenes which are murky and uninvolving but overall its a lively if minor thriller albeit one in which the ravages of the star's off screen debauchery are reflected in Flynn's appearance and slightly weary performance.Burr is admirable as the heavy and Roman is fine like most of the cast while the Max Steiner score is a big bonus.

Good time passer but a long way from the stars glory days.

There are some movies that simply qualify as afternoon entertainment. Mara Maru fits the bill as an adventurous romp with a cast led by Erroll Flynn and Raymond Burr.

Although this is not Flynn's best performance I would argue with those who have written demeaning his work. There are definitely moments throughout the movie where you see the sparkle of Robin Hood coming through.

It is always challenging to determine whether to blame the directing or the acting when actors look stiff or over exaggerate. Mara Maru has examples of both.

All that being said, I found myself following the intrigue, attempting to predict what would happen next, and actually enjoying a Sunday afternoon movie in the air conditioning.

I read one review that mentioned it would have been a much better movie in color and I would agree because the sea scenes in black and white just can't carry the same quality as a color film.

So, If you are looking to hunt down a treasure like the characters in this movie please understand that this is not a diamond in the rough but perhaps it's a gemstone that will make your day.