The Worst Film Ever

Lack of good storyline.

Am I Missing Something?

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

This is a poorly written, directed and acted film, although there are some good camera shots when the characters are climbing up the electrical pole. It has shades of 'Manpower' with Edward G. Robinson about it, but neither film provides any engaging characters or compelling storyline. The film is pedestrian and just plods along at a snail's pace throughout. We don't care about the characters or the situations they are in. I don't know how this got made, but it is a poor excuse for a film that only adds to Henry Fonda's credits. I don't believe him as a tough man, although you do see scars on his face when he gets into a brawl. He is youthful looking and naive, but there is nothing else to commend this film.

I'm not a film critic, but I am a lineman. This film was an excellent example of the lifestyle lived by linemen, even in today's times. In regards to the comments made by "planktonrules", there is no explanation as to why Slim wants to be a lineman, it's a matter of heart. You have it or you don't. Henry Fonda managed to convey this quite well. I do admit the character of Slim is a bit too innocent, but seems appropriate for the background. And yes, for the record, rarely does anyone use true names, mostly nicknames given to you by those who have been there before you. This is a brotherhood, which is well expressed in this film. We wish there were more films like this about linemen.

This film bears a lot of similarity to another Warner Brothers film made just four years later (MANPOWER). Both are about two friends who work building and repairing power lines and both emphasize what a dangerous job this is. Despite these many similarities (as well as a somewhat similar ending), MANPOWER wasn't exactly a re-make--just awfully reminiscent of SLIM.The movie begins with Henry Fonda begging the foreman of a power crew for a job working on the power lines. Why he's so intent on this job is uncertain, but once hired "Slim" makes good and becomes fast friends with "Red". Oddly, no one in this film seems to have a real name but a nickname--such as Slim, Red, Pop or Stumpy!! But no matter, as the film is reasonably entertaining and worth a look to see what happens to the guys. However, I really beg to differ with one of the reviews that refers to this film as a "masterpiece" as well as "Fonda's finest film". This just isn't true and makes no logical sense--there are probably thousands of better films and Fonda made quite a few superior films that are light years better than SLIM (such as THE OX-BOW INCIDENT, JEZEBEL, DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK, MR. ROBERTS, 12 ANGRY MEN and THE LADY EVE). I can only assume this other reviewer never saw any of these great films.It's still pretty good and the only serious negatives in this agreeable little film is that at times the film is a bit predictable and you wonder what makes Slim tick--he just seems amazingly stupid towards the end of the film--turning down marriage to sweet Margaret Lindsay as well as a cushy job in order to risk his life. But no matter, the film is entertaining and worth a look at a young Henry Fonda.

Seasoned veteran Pat O'Brien and soon-to-be-great Henry Fonda make this fast moving action drama fun for the entire family to watch together. The story of linemen's dangerous work on the tall towers and hot electric lines takes place back in the 1930's, long before OSHA instituted safety procedures on such undertakings. It's a shame this film has never been made available for home rental.