Man of Conflict

Ray (John Agar) has been off to college for several years and has finally returned to his home town. His finding a job is not going to be a problem, as his father, J.R. Compton (Edward Arnold) owns the huge factory that employs most everyone in town. However, Ray does not want an executive position...he wants to be trained as a machinist and work his way up in the company in order to learn what he's one day expected to run himself. While his father isn't thrilled by the idea, he agrees. Ray tells no one who he is and grows to love his job. Unfortunately, when folks do learn who he is, there is lots of resentment...as J.R. is a hated despot. J.R.'s way of running the company is making his employees fear him...and Ray plans on undoing as much as he can of this and building good will with the employees. As a result, the father and son come into conflict with each other and something has to give...though J.R. is a very hard and inflexible man.

It's funny to watch this film and think that John Agar has the reputation as one of the worst actors in film history. While it's true he acted in a lot of garbage in the 1950s and 60s (particularly the worst sci-fi/horror films of the age), he is just fine in this picture. I think Agar believed he was a terrible actor and agreed to be in terrible films...or, perhaps all he got offered. But he's quite good here.

My only problem with this film is that the resolution came much quicker and easier than it should have been. Otherwise, I enjoyed the plot and found the film refreshingly different and well acted.