Fire Down Below (1957)
Tony and Felix own a tramp boat, and sail around the Caribbean doing odd jobs and drinking a lot. They agree to ferry the beautiful but passportless Irena to another island. They both fall for her, leading to betrayal and a break-up of their partnership. Tony takes a job on a cargo ship. After a collision he finds himself trapped below deck with time running out (the ship is aflame), and only Felix, whom he hates and has sworn to kill, left to save him.
THREE OF THE BIGGEST IN ONE OF THE BEST!
Irena: I'm waiting for someone to touch me with kindness.
Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
London, England, UK
MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK
(Studio)
Inspired by their location shoot in Trinidad and Tobago, Robert Mitchum recorded a calypso album, while Jack Lemmon scored a harmonica theme for the film.
The film's producer, Albert R. Broccoli, makes a cameo as a drug smuggler.
The first of two back-to-back films Robert Mitchum filmed in the Caribbean. The second was John Huston's Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957).
With a budget of $2.5m, the film failed to recoup its costs.
Rita Hayworth had unsuccessfully sued Columbia to end her contract. "Fire Down Below" was the first movie she made for Columbia after she lost in court. It was her first film in three years.
Continuity
On their first day out with Irena, the group has engine trouble and indicate that the problem is caused by the port engine. However, Felix adjusts the controls for the starboard engine.
Revealing mistakes
Early on in the trip, Felix and Tony get into a fist fight, and Jimmy Jean continues to steer before eventually breaking up the fight. When the camera pulls back, it is clear that the boat is not moving.
Miscellaneous
In the opening title, the copyright date is given as MDCCCCLVII. The four C's, four repeating letters are illegitimate in Roman numerology. MCMLVII is canonical.
Plot holes
Doctor Sam finds a photograph of Felix, Tony, Irena and Jimmy Jean. However, it is impossible that the photograph could have been taken at all, as there was nobody else on the boat with them.