The Whistle at Eaton Falls Reviews

This well-meaning, though not entirely successful, story of labor-management relations opens in Eaton Falls, New Hampshire, where the president of the local plastics plant has been killed in a airplane crash. Bridges, a union leader, is promoted to be president and finds he has inherited a wealth of trouble. The plant needs to be more cost-effective, and therefore faces worker layoffs. Knowing what it is like to be on the workers' side of the fence, Bridges tries to save some jobs, but the union, led by Hamilton, disagrees with his methods. They are unable to come to an understanding, and the factory closes down. Eventually, and all too easily, the dispute is settled when big orders arrive for the company's products. This, coupled with some time- and money-saving machinery, allows Bridges to bring back all the employees, settling all squabbles between union and management. The film presents some interesting problems and intelligent questions about the roles and relations between management and workers. Unfortunately, the script never delves deep enough into the issues it raises, opting for pat, simplistic solutions that just don't ring true. However, Siodmak's direction overcomes some of this with a gritty, documentary style. Filmed on location in Eaton Falls, the production used local laborers as extras in factory scenes. Gish, as the president's widow who promotes Bridges, gives an intelligent performance in her small part.