After fighting acres of fire, handsome forest ranger Robert Lowery (as Don Bradley) is promoted to oversee the "Dark Mountain" area. He is also granted a furlough for heroism, and gets so excited he kicks over a garbage can on the way out of the supervisor's office. Now, a higher-budgeted film would have done this scene over, but they probably spent all the money on the exciting opening sequence. Mr. Lowery wisely (or accidentally) uses the trip to show his character's excitement. Filmmakers should have left more of these bits in, as add to the believability - and, this film needs all the believability it can get. The characters get wildly incredible.
To celebrate his job success, Lowery goes off to marry his childhood sweetheart, a beautiful and shapely Ellen Drew (as Kay). But, she startles him by introducing her brand new husband, crooked salesman Regis Toomey (as Steve Downey). Don't waste time trying to figure out how Ms. Drew fell so stupidly in love with Mr. Toomey, because she falls out of love just as quickly. Then, she runs back to Lowery, who hides her in his ranger shack without knowing she's concealing Toomey there, too. The story makes little sense; but, if you don't think too hard about the characters' actions, the quick pace and steadfast performances make it enjoyable.
***** Dark Mountain (9/44) William Berke ~ Robert Lowery, Ellen Drew, Regis Toomey, Eddie Quillan
