THE BIG NIGHT (1960)

Randy Sparks

THE BIG NIGHT (1960). Director: Sidney Salkow. 

High school student Frankie (Randy Sparks) hangs out with a bad crowd but has a loving widowed father, Ed (Dick Foran), and a pretty girlfriend, Ellie (Venetia Stevenson). Frankie discovers a briefcase full of loot from a bank robbery in town and decides to keep it, although Ellie isn't so certain it's a good idea. Nevertheless, having this nice chunk of change inspires Frankie to turn his life around, and he gets a job and new clothing and even wins the approval of Ellie's mother (Anna Lee) and boss (Frank Ferguson). Unfortunately, an ex-cop named Wegg (Jesse White of Country Music Holiday) and a sinister figure named Farrow (Dick Contino of Daddy-O) are also after the money ,,, 

Venetia Stevenson and Randy Sparks 

The Big Night is a minor crime drama but it is bolstered by some very good performances, with an appealing Randy Sparks hitting all the right notes. Venetia Stevenson is a nice actress who also offers a sensitive turn as Ellie. Dick Foran makes the most of his role as the somewhat depressed and defeated Ed. Jesse White is Jesse White -- a totally bland portrayal -- but Dick Contino proves as effective as a murderer as he was as the hero in Daddy-O. Ferguson and Lee are fine, as is Paul Langton [The Hidden Eye] as the head cop on the case. There's a decent romantic score by Richard LaSalle and Jesse White is given a snappy and violent death scene. Randy Sparks was also a composer and the founder of the New Christy Minstrels. He had only a few acting credits. Sidney Salkow also directed Twice-Told Tales. 

Verdict: Some engaging players make this palatable. **3/4. 

COUNTRY MUSIC HOLIDAY

June Carter Cash and Ferlin Husky

COUNTRY MUSIC HOLIDAY (1958). Director: Alvin Ganzer. 

Returning from Japan after a stint in the army, Vern Brand (Ferlin Husky) finds that his pal Clyde Woods (Faron Young) has become a big country music star. Vern's Pappy (Rod Brasfield) is convinced that Vern is more talented and could do even better. Former bookie turned music producer Sonny Moon (Jesse White) wants a singer who can rival Clyde and sends him a bus ticket to Manhattan. There Vern tours the nightclubs for publicity and becomes acquainted with Zsa Zsa Gabor (playing herself), who takes a shine to him. Back in Tennessee, Vern's girlfriend Marietta (June Carter Cash) reads of all this and decides to take off for New York ... 

Zsa Zsa Gabor and Jesse White

Although released by a major studio, Country Music Holiday comes off more like something from Monogram. Although Husky, a genuine country music star, is not Olivier, he can act and has a degree of charm (although I could have done without his putdown of a true genius like Tchaikovsky). Jesse White is as obnoxious as ever. Zsa Zsa Gabor manages to give a decent and amusing performance playing herself. Faron Young was also a country star and is appealing. June Carter (Cash) manages to get across her fear that Vern will forget her once he goes to New York without having to even say it. Another cast member is Rocky Graziano, also playing himself as an assistant to Sonny Moon. Two characters named Al Fisher and Lou Marks also play themselves, former Army buddies of Vern's who become his manager -- they are pretty awful. There are numerous -- far too many -- people playing assorted agents, TV producers, variety show hosts and so on. Patty Duke, in her first movie, plays Vern's sister, but you won't recognize her. 

June Carter Cash and Ferlin Husky

The movie's only justification are the generally memorable musical numbers. Faron Young sings "The Face of Love" and does a swingin' version of "When It Rains It Pours" with Elvis-like gyrations. Ferlin Husky's numbers include the title tune (by David and Bacharach), "My Home Town," "Terrific Together" and "Wide, Wide World," all of which are quite catchy. When Zsa Zsa first meets Vern she refers to country music as "peasant" music! Love that Zsa Zsa! The screenplay for this is pretty bad, which is probably why Husky wound up in even worse crap like Hillbillies in a Haunted House!

Verdict: Husky deserved better. **.