Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5039 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-09-02
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Spanish
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 88 minutes

Review
This noir docudrama, the story of an actual unsolved murder, reflected the taste for true-life storytelling of Twentieth Century Fox production chief Darryl F. Zanuck. Adapted from a Reader's Digest article called "The Perfect Case," Boomerang! concerned the murder of a priest and the subsequent efforts of a prosecutor to exonerate the accused killer, an ex-G.I. whom the police had coerced into confessing. Although the film pointed to a probable shooter (a fellow priest), in reality the crime was never solved. Zanuck and his producer, former "March of Time" newsreel producer Louis de Rochemont, hired young director Elia Kazan, who characteristically refused to oversimplify the characters, all of whom walk a fine line between virtue and corruption. (De Rochemont had just finished work on two other true-life dramas for Zanuck with director Henry Hathaway, both of which employed documentary-style techniques: The House on 92nd Street (1945) and 13 Rue Madeleine (1946), which also included actual documentary footage). Kazan, de Rochemont, and Zanuck made several unusual creative choices to enhance the film's authenticity. The entire picture, including interiors, was filmed in Connecticut, except for the courtroom scenes, which were staged in White Plains, NY. Kazan and cinematographer Norbert F. Brodin employed a roving camera to enhance the film's documentary-like feel, and de Rochemont cast most of the smaller roles with non-professional local residents. The end result was one of the earliest examples of the "docudrama" form. Kazan received more attention (and an Oscar) that same year for Gentleman's Agreement, but his Best Direction award from the New York Film Critics' Circle was for both films. As a theater director, Kazan had directed the original Broadway production of Death of a Salesman, and playwright Arthur Miller returned the favor by appearing as one of the line-up suspects in Boomerang!. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

On the DVD
Audio commentary by film historians Alain Silver and James Ursini
Poster gallery
Unit photography gallery
Theatrical trailer

Synopsis
Boomerang, directed by Elia Kazan, is a chilling film noir, the true story about the murder of a priest, the subsequent arrest and trial of a jobless drifter, and the efforts of young state's attorney Henry Harvey (Dana Andrews) to uncover the truth. Closely based on the actual 1924 murder of Fr. Hubert Dahme in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the film was directed by the young Elia Kazan in a highly effective, semi-documentary style. Kazan shot most of the film on location, using high-contrast cinematography and an extremely mobile camera to create a palpable sense of urgency. The screenplay, expertly crafted by Richard Murphy received an Academy Award nomination. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

This DVD was recalled!
Very unfortunately, this DVD has been recalled, and it is not scheduled for re-release (and probably never will be). Copies did get out to the public and were for sale for a very short while before the recall, and I was lucky enough to get a copy.

"Boomerang" is a great docudrama, taut and tense, directed with typical expertise by Elia Kazan. Based on a true 1940's murder of a local reverand in a small Connecticut town, "Boomerang" follows the subsequent investigation and trial of the murder suspect, as well as the agendas of a number of townspeople who want the case brought to an end. Shot on location in Connecticut, this film is a prime example of 20th-Fox "noir" at its best.

"Boomerang" was scheduled for a VHS release a number of years ago, and was abruptly cancelled just before its scheduled release date. Some of the people appearing in the movie were townspeople, not professional actors, which certainly added to the authentic look and feel of the film. I have heard that their legal agreements did not include a VHS or DVD release - I don't know if that's true, but could certainly explain the problematic rights situation. Watch for a copy and get one if you can! The DVD is beautifully produced, with a very fine print of the film, and some interesting extras, including a commentary.

A FOOTNOTE (Added August 2008): "Boomerang" is now scheduled for a re-release on DVD next month, 2 years after the recalled edition. Let's hope there's no further issues with the DVD. This is a "must" for any film noir collection.

The Boomerang comes back!
Good news: this title is being rereleased in September 2008! A truly apt title indeed.

We'll finally be be able to fill that annoying hole in the Fox Film Noir series on our shelves.

As I recall this is a very good title, in the upper-tier of films noirs, but not quite into the top-tier (like Woman in the Window, Double Indemnity or Night and the City). It's been quite some time since I saw it (on TvO Saturday Night I seem to dimly recall or perhaps PBS), but my usually reliable memory indicates this should be a most enjoyable re-viewing.

The last crop of Fox Film Noir was not the most substantial of the series (Black Widow is somewhat entertaining a times, but not really noir and rather slight). The 3 titles scheduled for early September mark a clear increase in terms of quality and pertinence.

Now if only Fox would finally reissue Lang's Manhunt, which they've been labelling as Coming Soon for ages.