A Perilous Journey (1953)
Director:
R.G. Springsteen
Writers:
Vingie E. Roe (novel), Richard Wormser (screenplay)
Stars:
Vera Ralston, David Brian, Scott Brady, Hope Emerson, Veda Ann Borg, Virginia Grey, Kathleen Freeman, Charles Winninger
The much-maligned Vera Ralston turns in an acceptable performance as star of Republic's A Perilous Journey. Though seemingly inspired by MGM's Westward the Women, the film was actually based on The Golden Tide, a novel by Vingie Roe. In the year 1850, a group of 49 young women charter a full-rigger to sail for California to offer themselves as wives to the gold prospectors. As indicated by the title, the journey is indeed fraught with peril (not to mention a few geographical inaccuracies). Vera Ralston plays Francie Landreaux, who has undertaken the voyage in search of her no-good gambler husband. Instead, she finds romance in the arms of rough-and-ready Shard Benton (Scott Brady). A Perilous Journey is pepped up by several song numbers, written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman.
DVD Region 0 (ALL), will play in any DVD player. 1 hour 30 minutes, English, Black and White, good print.
Songs include:
On the Rue De La Paix
Music by Victor Young
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Sung by Vera Ralston
Bon Soir
Music by Victor Young
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Sung by Vera Ralston
California
Music by Victor Young
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Sung by Vera Ralston
Abide With Me
Written by Henry F. Lyte and William H. Monk
Sung by Eileen Christy
The film was released on April 5, 1953, by Republic Pictures.