Watch Desperate Search

Desperate Search, released in 1952, is a gripping drama film that stars Howard Keel, Jane Greer, and Patricia Medina. The movie follows the nail-biting story of a father's relentless search for his son after a plane crash in the mountains. The film opens with a small private plane taking off from a mountain airport in Nevada. On board are young Nick Biaggio (played by Ross Bagdasarian), his father Chris (Howard Keel), and his mother Louise (Patricia Medina). They are accompanied by a family friend Hank (Tom Powers) and the pilot Ben (played by popular character actor Robert Burton). The family is on their way to Los Angeles to celebrate Nick's birthday but the journey takes a terrifying turn when the plane crashes into the mountains during a storm. The passengers are stranded on a precarious snowy slope with no civilization in sight.

After being rendered unconscious in the crash, Chris wakes up to find that his wife and their family friend are dead. Nick is missing, and the injured pilot and Chris barely survive the ordeal. Chris immediately begins a desperate search for his son, starting with the immediate area around the crash site. With no civilization around and the odds against them, Chris decides to leave the injured pilot behind and take the necessary supplies to start his quest for his missing son.

The film chronicles Chris's tireless efforts as he combats harsh weather conditions and treacherous terrain. He faces wild animals and other unknown dangers in his search for Nick. Meanwhile, back in civilization, the authorities mount a search and rescue effort, but they soon realize that the situation is dire and the probability of finding Nick alive is low.

As Chris continues searching, he encounters a mysterious woman named Gail (Jane Greer) who lives in a cabin high up in the mountains. Gail is an enigmatic character who appears to have some knowledge about the area and is aware of the plane crash. Chris becomes suspicious of her intentions but later realizes that she can help him in his search for Nick. Chris and Gail team up to find the boy, but several obstacles stand in their way, including treacherous terrain and Gail's secrets.

The movie effectively keeps the tension high as the audience knows that Chris is racing against time to find his son, and the probability of survival decreases with every passing moment. Keel delivers a convincing performance as a desperate father, and the rest of the cast, including Greer and Medina, provide strong supporting performances.

Desperate Search is a well-crafted drama that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. The cinematography and the score are noteworthy and add to the overall suspense of the film. The film portrays the strength of a parent's love, and the lengths they are willing to go to protect their child. The story is timeless and still relevant today, as it is a testament to human resilience in the face of extreme adversity.

In conclusion, Desperate Search is a dramatic and engaging movie filled with suspense, riveting plot twists, and remarkable performances that draw the viewer in. The movie offers an intriguing tale of one man's unyielding love and determination to save his son, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats until the final frame.

Desperate Search is a 1953 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.