High Wall, 1947, is playing on Turner Classic Movies on Sunday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m. est. Closed captioned.
I highly recommend this film. Robert Taylor is playing totally against type as an injured war veteran who has a haematoma on his brain that is causing him to act irrationally. This is so far from the glamorous Taylor we know and love and demonstrates his amazing range as an actor.
High Wall is a departure for Robert Taylor. In the 30’s he portrayed mostly handsome society boys. In 1941 he toughened up his image with Johnny Eager. This is an entirely different path. The lead character, Steven Kenet, has returned from a job flying freight in Asia after his service in WW II. He’s eager to see his wife and displeased to find out she has a job. Kenet is even more displeased when he discovers she is having an affair with her boss. To complicate matters, he has a brain injury and is suffering blackouts and other symptoms. Seeing his wife in her lover’s apartment triggers rage and violence. The wife is dead and Kenet is the only suspect. He confesses and is committed to a mental institution for psychiatric evaluation. The unique thing about the film to me is Taylor’s ability to play vulnerability. Kenet is neither a pretty boy nor a villain. He is a man in torment.
Taylor uses his shoulders beautifully to portray hopelessness. They droop in the scenes where the character is locked in solitary confinement. After his operation they are straight. The confusion on his face when he’s offered an opportunity to see his son at the hospital is masterful as he passes through a range of emotions moving from delight to doubt to anger to confusion. There is a remarkable sequence in which Kenet is dragged off after attacking a visitor. Taylor’s body positions change constantly–this is hardly the “wooden” acting for which he is so often condemned. Another great sequence is his walk up the stairs at the end to see his son. Kenet’s face radiates joy. The camera work is stylish and the chiaroscuro is masterful. This movie was apparently not well received in its time probably because it isn’t the “Robert Taylor” people expected and it is largely forgotten now. It deserves to be remembered. Review by me for the IMDb.
Some behind-the-scenes photos:
Robert Taylor with co-stars Audrey Totter and Bobby Hyatt.
Robert Taylor Actor 
Hi Judith,
I like the photos you posted.
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Ciao, Fulvia. I’m glad. Have you seen the movie? Judith
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Unfortunately I did not see the movie because here in Italy it does not exist. On Robert Taylor i have many movies in dvd, but some are not found (The Bribe, The high wall, The song of Russia, The killers of Kilimangjaro, Magnificent obsession and others.). This makes me feel annoying because I’m a fan of Robert Taylor and I would like to see all his movies.As I told you there is not a biography about him traslated into italian.
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That’s a shame, Fulvia. Maybe things will change in the future. Judith
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Good news! I bought on Amazon three Dvd of R.Taylor that I missed: one in Italian language((Stand by for Action) and the others two (The bribe and Undercurrent) with subtitles in Italian (better than nothing!).
Fulvia.
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That’s wonderful. Tell me what you think of the films when you’ve looked at them. Judith
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I hope so. But I know that’s difficult for a maket law. Nobody here is interested in Robert Taylor, unfortunately. Anyway, thank you.
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As soon as I have seen them, I’ll let you know my impressions.
Grazie,
Fulvia.
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Ciao, Judith,
I have seen two movies that came to me with Amazon: The Bribe and Undercurrent.
The first I liked for inusual part that recited R.T, but, in my opinion, the director of this movie gave too much space to Katherine Hepburn and too little space to him. His character deserved more importance.
The Bribe, instead, I liked more, especially in the pursuit scene in the middle of the fire works. I’m always convinced that Mr.Taylor was not valuedas he deserved by the directors.
Fulvia.
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