Reviews
John Chard

John Chard

March 8, 2017
7.0
Case History of Chet Chester. Hell's Half Acre is directed by John H. Auer and written by Steve Fisher. It stars Wendell Corey, Evelyn Keyes, Elsa Lanchester, Marie Windsor, Nancy Gates and Leonard Strong. Music is by R. Dale Butts and cinematography by John L. Russell. Filmed and set in Hawaii, one could be forgiven for thinking this couldn't possibly work as a piece of film noir. In fact, the opening credit sequences lends one to think this could well be a frothy Elvis Presley type of movie - but it most assuredly isn't. Cash or Cave in? Story has Corey up to his neck in femme fatales, shifty criminal acquaintances and coppers. Which is not bad for a guy who was apparently killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor! The Hell's Half Acre of the tile is what is termed in the film as a shabby tenement district, this is the seedy underbelly of what we know as the paradise island. The location makes for some excellent atmospheric noir touches, with the production line abodes and the ream of wooden stairs and banisters making for a moody backdrop. At night the shadows come in to play, hanging nicely off of the alleyways and tawdry bars. Dirty Rat! Though a little too contrived for its own good, the many characterisations on show make the annoying itches easily scratched. From two-timing dames and thugs in need of anger management - to alcoholic slobs and batty taxi drivers, this has a roll call of colourful people drifting in and out of Hell's Half Acre. There's even some censor baiting going on, though the whiff of violent misogyny could have been less pungent. Some serious noir credentials are found with the makers, Auer (City That Never Sleeps), Fisher (I Wake Up Screaming), Corey (The Big Knife), Keyes (The Prowler), Windsor (The Narrow Margin), Gates (Suddenly), Lanchester (The Big Clock) and Russell (Moonrise), and that's only really scratching the surface. With its distinctive setting and well controlled unfurling of noir conventions, this is well worth a look by the noir faithful. 7/10

Recommendation Movies

7.2
Comedy
View
7.2
The Captain from Kopenick
The Captain from Kopenick1956
8
Documentary
View
8
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence2025
6.8
Adventure
View
6.8
Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge
Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge2001
6.2
Animation
View
6.2
The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock
The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock1998
5.5
Documentary
View
5.5
12
122020
5.1
Family
View
5.1
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over2003
4.5
Horror
View
4.5
Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return
Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return1999
6.6
Animation
View
6.6
Barbie Presents: Thumbelina
Barbie Presents: Thumbelina2009
6.1
Animation
View
6.1
The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze
The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze2001
4.2
Action
View
4.2
Inspector Gadget 2
Inspector Gadget 22003
6.9
Family
View
6.9
A Boy Named Charlie Brown
A Boy Named Charlie Brown1969
6.5
Comedy
View
6.5
The Return of the Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe
The Return of the Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe1974
5.6
Action
View
5.6
Darkman II: The Return of Durant
Darkman II: The Return of Durant1995
6.3
Drama
View
6.3
Nana 2
Nana 22006
6.7
Animation
View
6.7
Oliver & Company
Oliver & Company1988
7.2
Animation
View
7.2
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh1977
6.4
Adventure
View
6.4
Angelique and the Sultan
Angelique and the Sultan1968
6.2
Comedy
View
6.2
Cheaper by the Dozen
Cheaper by the Dozen2003
6.5
Comedy
View
6.5
Return to... Return to Nuke 'Em High aka Vol. 2
Return to... Return to Nuke 'Em High aka Vol. 22017
5.7
Adventure
View
5.7
Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard
Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard2009
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt