Revolt Of Mamie Stover (1956)

Based on the novel by William Bradford Huie about a prostitute who becomes wealthy speculating in real estate in wartime Honolulu. This film adaptation directed by Raoul Walsh is, like many other Hollywood films of the period, bowdlerized. Mamie Stover (Jane Russell) is no longer a hooker but a "dance hostess" (not unlike the change in Donna Reed's character from page to screen in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY). Given that it's cleaned up as not to offend the impressionable 1950s minds, Walsh does an admirable job in keeping the proceedings engrossing while cinematographer Leo Tover (THE HEIRESS) turns his eye to the lush Hawaiian locations and taking full advantage of the entire CinemaScope frame. Russell looks the part though she doesn't bring many layers to her character that a stronger actress would. Agnes Moorehead as the brassy, blonde "proprietor" who looks after her girls with an iron glove steals what acting honors the film may have. With Richard Egan, Joan Leslie (her final film role), Michael Pate, Jorja Curtright, Jean Willes and Alan Reed. The jazz tinged score by Hugo Friedhofer is one of the film's strongest assets.