That Super-Man Is In Again

Man At Large (1941) Pits G. Reeves Against Saboteurs

A Fox B celebrated by few fortunates who have seen it, Man At Large shouldn't go missing in our era of plenty. Other and more obscure Fox programmers have turned up via On-Demand DVD, but so far not this one. Man At Large did play television at one time, generously from the late 50's after first reaching airwaves, and into the 60/70's where it joined others of similar genre as part of a "Mystery/Suspense" package offered by TV packager NTA. Man At Large was also fondly recalled by Don Miller in his indispensable B Movies book, the author referring to it as a best of low-budget Hitchcock homages. Man At Large began shooting on a same June 1941 day as John Ford's How Green Was My Valley, the latter tabbed for prestige playdates and eventual Academy recognition, while humble Man At Large made do with support placement befitting its category. But would modern viewership be as eager to watch all-too familiar How Green again? Ford's classic is sold on Blu-Ray, and streams everywhere, but try finding Man At Large ... I couldn't locate modern appraisals even at IMDB.

The story is typical of actioners leading up to WWII; an escaped Nazi airman, not unlike ones in two-years-later Northern Pursuit, spearheading would-be conquest as our G-Men give chase. Much of fun is in the pace, a rapid 70 minutes that seems less, and with engaging cast top-lined by young George Reeves, doing work here to make us regret his missing brass ring of feature stardom. But then if he had clicked, we'd have no definitive Superman. You'd not beat Man At Large for timing in any case, its arrival keyed to war clouds darkening (released September 1941), and plenty of subsequent play after Germany became our declared enemy. We can never know sock like Man At Large delivered in first-run, then-emotions set on hot with more and more ticket-buyers in uniform, or headed to enlist. Silly though Man At Large may seem today, it was call to arms and reassurance for millions in anxiety over a conflict which outcome was anything but certain. Fox was among most sure-footed at making programmers look lush, thanks to sharp-as-pin camerawork, re-use of standing sets from A's, and trim of fat from narrative always on the go. Man At Large is a rarity that should go back in circulation.