Shadow in the Sky (1952) User Reviews

Curious Little Item

[abooboo-2 · 7/10 · 28 February 2001]

Strange little domestic drama concerning ex-soldier Ralph Meeker's attempts to readjust to civilian life many years after the war. Generally happy and normal, he can't handle rain, as it serves as a frightening reminder of the rain-soaked conditions he was constantly exposed to during one particularly brutal war time stint.

An extremely handsome looking movie, I was surprised at how the director, Fred Wilcox, composed so many of his shots in such a glistening, almost immaculate way. There always seems to be a lot going on inside the frame. It's visually exciting, almost experimental at times, a novel choice for this subject matter. There's one almost David Lynch-ian scene where Meeker is making an important phone call, and the little daughter is playing in the background, wandering through the house with a bag over her head saying "Give me some eyes. Give me some eyes". Filmed in a dream-like, consciously artistic way, it's quite odd.

All the performances are fine, especially James Whitmore's. He nails the big scene at the end, even though the important revelation about Meeker is sort of a dud. The film is also noteworthy in that it contains two well written women's roles. Nancy Davis plays a loving housewife and mother, but she's complicated and rounded out in a way that most women in these sorts of films around this time weren't allowed to be. And Jean Hagen plays a difficult, rather confounding mental hospital nurse who falls in love with Meeker. Frankly, their whole relationship felt a little confused and hurried but at least Hagen was not the typical angelic girlfriend.

This is a pretty intelligent, realistic and sensitively handled examination of mental illness. And it achieves the somewhat remarkable effect (almost as if it were a horror film) of portraying the simple event of rainfall as something sinister and threatening - its occurrence to be feared not just by Meeker's character but by all those who care about him as well.

"I said no because I'm human, God help me, and so are you!"

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 5 December 2011]

Thoughtful (if not particularly incisive) look at mental illness in veterans brought on by their war experiences after suffering extreme duress in the midst of battle. One emotional Marine, recuperating at a hospital in southern California, is deemed well enough to leave, but his sister and brother-in-law (whose life the soldier saved overseas) are reluctant to take him in because of his volatile nature. Excellent performances from Ralph Meeker, Nancy Davis, and James Whitmore nearly compensate for Ben Maddow's sketchy screenplay which begins as a study of human frailties but soon becomes a family melodrama (its subject matter whittled down to one case). Thus, scenes such as a dance at the Veteran's Hospital serve no real purpose, with the viewer left in the uncomfortable position of waiting for Meeker's Marine to lose self-control. Nevertheless, an unusual product to come from MGM, with several taut and moving sequences--though not enough to quite fill its running-time. **1/2 from ****

While the movie has its flaws, it is an amazing film for its time.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 14 December 2011]

"Shadow in the Sky" is a fascinating film because it talks about something practically no film talked about at that time--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Back then, the only other film that I can think of that dealt with it at all was "The Men"--but this was much more about the physical difficulties injured men face after the war. Here, while Ralph Meeker looks normal, he isn't. And in situations that remind him of the hell he lived through in the Pacific, he becomes a nervous bowl of goo. But, to make this much more interesting, the film focuses much of its energy on his family--a sister (Nancy Davis) and brother-in-law (James Whitmore) who are uncomfortable and cowardly when it comes to accepting him into their home after his very lengthy stay in the hospital. In fact, you really dislike the pair--especially the sister, as her own fears seem much stronger than her love for her brother. A fascinating and VERY unique film I can't recommend strongly enough. My only reservation, and it's a small one, is that sometimes the characters behave a bit strangely--in particular, Meeker's nephew--who is just plain bizarre!

Earnest Little Film

[dougdoepke · 26 November 2013]

Earnest little movie that's almost a sleeper, thanks to a solid cast, good production values, and an affecting story. Ex-Marine Burt (Meeker) is in a VA hospital suffering from periodic bouts of battle shock, especially when it rains. Meanwhile, his solid citizen sister Betty (Davis) and her husband Lou (Whitmore) live close by. Burt wants to get out of the confinement and move in with them. But Betty and Lou have two kids and are wary that the unpredictable Burt may prove a live-in hazard. The predicament is compounded by the fact that Burt saved Lou's life during the war, thus Lou has an obligation. So how these various threads get resolved forms the core of the plot.

Hats off to glamorous MGM for foregoing the usual glitz with location filming and a sturdy, if non-glamorous cast. Whatever her politics, Davis-Reagan was a fine actress, excelling at everyday roles, while Meeker at this stage was a Brando-type, though here he calibrates in non-emoting fashion. Of course, Whitmore is Whitmore, looking like an everyday guy as the role requires. Together, they make this story of post-war wounds both affecting and believable, even if in a Hollywood manner. I especially like the rapport between Burt and Lou, which ultimately relies on the male bonding so common among men in battle. Understandably, there were a number of these war trauma films made during this period. However, this obscure little B-film can hold its own even among the bigger boys.

Good film on PTSD, but the plot is too thin

[AlsExGal · 6/10 · 13 May 2017]

This is a post-war story about the effects of what today we'd call PTSD. Ralph Meeker is a former marine who's confined at a VA facility in California. 90% of the time, he's a standup guy who seems to have a promising future, but whenever it rains, he turns into a major head case who can't escape his past wartime experience in the South Pacific. Nancy (Davis) Reagan plays his sister who is married to James Whitmore's character. They vacillate between whether or not to take in Meeker to provide a little support for his condition and give him a stable home life, as well as a potential job working with Whitmore at his roadside gas station and garage. The problem is that they've also got two young kids at home, and they don't want to expose them to their uncle's episodes whenever the weather turns inclement. They also are afraid Meeker might really wig out and hurt his niece and nephew during one of his "bad" days.

Jean Hagen plays Meeker's love interest. She too has some kind of mental incapacity, but the film never really explains how she got that way. And therein lies the problem with this picture. It's a great story with good performances by the four leads, but the script is a real puzzler. There are so many holes and unanswered questions with so little back story of the characters. This movie was released about 3 months after "Singin' in the Rain" came out, and it was fun to see how good an actress Jean Hagen was when you compare the two pictures. "Shadow in the Sky" is only an hour and 18 minutes long, and if the script were given an extra 20 or 30 minutes, some of those unanswered questions could have been addressed. It's the only film I can think of where Ralph Meeker can be seen in a speedo.

It was called shell shocked back in the day

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 21 November 2017]

They didn't call it post traumatic stress or PTSD back in those days, the term was shell shocked. But that is what Ralph Meeker is in this film Shadow In The Sky from MGM's B picture unit.

Meeker is a former Marine who served in the Pacific where his sergeant was James Whitmore who happened to marry his sister Nancy Reagan. Meeker has been in an out of veteran's hospital since the end of World War 2. He has a phobia about rain and the presence of Whitmore who was his sergeant during the war, but received a million dollar wound and went home acts as a kind of security blanket for Meeker.

We never really learn what his issues are and they certainly are a lot more complex than Shadow In The Sky lets on. But that was the way with most Hollywood films that dealt with psychological issues back in the day.

It's a good cast ensemble MGM gathered for this film which also includes Jean Hagen who works at the VA and might like to get something going with Meeker once he straightens himself out.

A good film for Veteran's Day.

cloudy with a chance of rain

[RanchoTuVu · 7/10 · 25 May 2017]

Ralph Meeker plays a Marine veteran of the famous battle for Gualdalcanal. The experience left him with PTSD. His condition arises from the memory of carrying a wounded Marine (James Whitmore, who plays Meeker's brother-in-law married to Meeker's sister played by Nancy Davis (Reagan) to safety during a rainstorm as the battle raged on. While Hollywood made the fierce fight for Guadalcanal famous, this pic attempts to illustrate the longterm fallout of the battle on one Marine's psyche. It's pretty good, though it leaves you wondering why Meeker is so traumatized since he actually rescued his future bro-in-law rather than letting him die. If he had done that he might have really been traumatized by crippling guilt. But since he actually rescued him and only feels guilty about considering the possibility of just leaving him in the mud, the whole PTSD premise seems a little far-fetched. In any event, the acting is great between Meeker, Whitmore, Davis, and Jean Hagen, who is in love with Meeker. The weather forecast plays a pivotal role, especially if there's a chance of rain.

Shell shock

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 2 February 2022]

The main interest point in seeing 'Shadow in the Sky' was the subject matter, post traumatic stress disorder was a very brave topic to explore back then and was not done on film back then. It still is a brave topic to discuss now, now that it is even more common. Another interest point for me too was Ralph Meeker, here in a type of role with characteristics that he did incredibly well. Have always loved classic film and admire any film etc that covers tough subjects.

'Shadow in the Sky' is an interesting, thoughtful and very well intentioned film with a good deal to admire. A shame that it was a box office disaster at the time. It did fall short of full potential though, as not everything comes off great and it could have done a good deal more with the subject. While it's handled tactfully and sincerely, it could have had a good deal more depth as it is on the sketchy side. 'Shadow in the Sky' is definitely worth a look and am glad that it was watched, but it is one of those appreciate rather than love films.

Meeker is excellent in an intelligent and intensely moving performance. James Whitmore's performance is also powerful and Nancy Reagan is suitably sympathetic. Found myself really caring for their nicely fleshed out characters and caring for what happens to them. Fed M Wilcox directs with some nice atmosphere and sensitively, even with little innovative on display. The film looks quite good, clearly made with care, especially the suitably unsettling photography that sometimes has a surreal quality that is quite enticing.

Have always liked Bronislau Kaper and the score provided for 'Shadow in the Sky' is haunting without being overwrought. There is thoughtfulness in the script and the story is compelling enough with moments that move and frighten.

Do have to agree though that the script is patchy, with too much of an over-reliance of over-heated melodrama later on and while it raises some good points and questions the subject of PTSD was just not delved into enough, it never goes skin deep and while it would have been an education at the time judging the film now there is not enough that is insightful or illuminating. Meaning that while it is moving, it is not quite uncompromising enough.

Pacing isn't always there too, with too much padding and some of it is overlong and not necessary. The hospital dance agreed is completely superfluous. As a result, some of the film drags. While 'Shadow in the Sky' starts off really promisingly, one really tastes the soap suds quite bitterly in the final act. There are some strange character behaviours, especially those of the nephew, especially those that lack any kind of logic.

In summary, worth a look but could have been more. 6/10.

See they even let me have matches now!

[sol-kay · 8/10 · 10 November 2005]

**SPOILERS** During the fighting in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Theater of War Burt,Ralph Meeker,suffered wounds far greater then any Japanese bullet or navel bombardment could ever inflict on him.

Pinned down by Japanese gunfire in the rain-soaked Guadalcancal jungle Brut carried his fellow marine , and future brother-in-law, Lou Hopke, James Whitmore,a half mile to safety thus saving his life. Suffering from a sever case of "jungle Rap" Burt was diagnosed as being unable to blend in with society and sent to a US military hospital for shell-shocked servicemen back in the states. It's now some seven years later and Burt is deemed well enough, by his military doctor Edward Frenz, to be sent home but the only home he knows is that of his friend and brother-in-law Paul Hopke and the problem is will Paul as well as Burt's sister Betty, Nancy Davis, take him in?

Much like Marlon Brando's "The Men" the film "Shadow in the Sky" tells of the horrors of war that stays with those who fought in it for the rest of their lives and how they fight to cope and overcome them. Burt knows what his in-laws and sister think of him and doesn't want to burden them with his presence but it's that very reason, to be accepted and not be feared by them, thats the only cure to his crippling psychosis.

Finally agreeing to have Burt stay the Hopke's fear that he'll flip out whenever it starts to rain, which touches off his "Jungle Rap" paranoia, and may not only hurt himself but them, the Hopke's, and their two young children Chris & Nina, Dennis Ross & Nadine Ashdown, as well.

The movie shows how hard it is to get over experiences suffered in a war zone and Ralph Meeker is at his best as the mentally broken war vet who knows that he'll have to go through a hell almost as bad, if not worse, as being in a war itself to overcome them. The Hopke's grudgingly take Burt into their home, after the insistence of his civilian volunteer nurse Stella Murphy (Jean Hagen),has him doing his best to fit in. The fact that he's, as well as Lou & Betty, terrified of a normal rainy day or night makes things very difficult and sooner or later Burt and the Hopke's know that "The Rains Will come" and with them Burt's worst fears about himself and what he may do to those around him.

Very moving story with a hard edge to it in how a man overcomes his worse fears by not running but confronting them head on which turns out to be the best medicine and treatment that he could have.

Burt's fears of rain, it not only reminds him of Guadalcanal but the blood dripping all over him as he carried the badly injured Lou to safety, was also overcome by telling Lou the truth, about the guilt he felt; about him wanting Lou to die so he would no longer have to carry him.

Lou in return sets Burt straight by telling him he has a sense of guilt too; he didn't want to invite Burt to stay with him and his family, thus having him stay alone and unwanted in the military hospital. It was only because Stella insisted that Lou realized that he couldn't leave Burt alone in the world to die, or never recover from his mental illness, when Burt risked his life to save his own back then in the hell that was called Guadalcanal.

serious MGM story of returning military man

[ksf-2 · 8/10 · 21 November 2013]

SPOILERS

As of today, only 4 reviews and 137 votes. TCM must not show this one very often! It opens with "Stella" (Jean Hagen) meeting with someone's family to talk about "Burt" going there to live. It's all very mysterious, since we don't know who anyone is, where they are, or why there is debate over Burt's release (from what?) All we know is he is a Marine, and we find that out from the little boy.

The next scene shows the family discussing Burt's case with a doctor at "the hospital", which appears to be attached to a military base. Burt has some condition, which is affected by the weather. We DO get to see Burt, the dashing Ralph Meeker, and he knows that they are talking about him. On the way home, we learn that Burt is the brother of "Betty", the wife in the husband and wife team. We witness a couple occurrences of Burt's "condition"... sometimes a dramatic outburst, sometimes just odd behavior when interacting with others. This was made in 1952, about seven years after war's end, so clearly post-traumatic syndrome and issues about returning home were in the news and on peoples' minds. Nancy Davis Reagan plays the wife, and we see over and over that she is quite concerned about having him in the house, so we can tell that we are going to be dealing with that very soon!

Very entertaining film about a serious issue, especially for all the families with returning military men. Directed by Fred Wilcox, who had also directed a couple Lassie films, and the Secret Garden. Wilcox seems to have directed only sporadically, which is kind of unusual for an MGM director.

Tough Enough

[LeonLouisRicci · 8/10 · 23 November 2013]

A Completely Forgotten Little Film that is quite Good and quite Different. A Number of Film-Noirs took on the PTSD of Returning WWII Veterans and most of them are Well Known and most of them are Fine Films. This one is Unique in that it is Virtually Unknown.

It has a Very Strange Feel to it and is a Serious and Surreal, at Times, Study that is more than Competently Directed and Acted. The Children are Central to the Plot and the Little Ones are Refreshingly Restrained from Stereotype.

Some of the Dialog is Succinct and Stringent. After a Tense Set-Up the Mentally Disturbed Ralph Meeker, at His Best, Confronts the Parents about the Kids and Tersely Taunts..."What did you think I'd do, chop them up into little pieces and put them in a suitcase?"

Tough Stuff for the Era and Reflects the Tone of the Movie. It is a Suspenseful and Fittingly Bizarre Film that Deserves more Attention.