WIRETAPPER (1955)

 

Based around actual events, this eighty-minute crime biopic highlights four years in the life of a World War II communications expert, Jim Vaus Jr., in 1945. He is awarded a four-year prison term for the theft of government equipment. The film is respectably acted, though no Golden Globe nominations were announced. Directed by Dick Ross, with a screenplay by John O'Dea from Vaus' autobiography, "Why I Quit Syndicated Crime," it was produced by World Wide Pictures, founded in 1951 by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The film was an outreach tool to inspire moviegoers. Unfortunately, they have to wait seventy minutes to be inspired. The film gets no awards for cinematography nor for the score composed by Ralph Carmichael—who will be considered the father of contemporary Christian music in a decade.

I use the Vaus name and not the actor, Bill Williams, who portrays him. Another B-movie regular, Douglas Kennedy, joins the male lead ranks as an underworld boss. The least-known, Georgia Lee, as Vaus' wife, is the weakest acting link. A "criminal casting call" was sent out to snag the usual suspects. Paul Picerni is once again hooked up with the mob as is Eric Roman. Even Stanley Clements works his way into the ranks. He becomes instrumental in Vaus's plan to delay horse-race betting results, giving both a guaranteed race winner. Going behind Kennedy's back to do it is not wise. Carmichael's military march composition during the horse-race segment is astonishingly misplaced.

Vaus is released early but his incarceration results in a demotion from Captain to Private. His deception begins when he buys cheap knock-off service medals to pin to his uniform before arriving home. He takes no pride in his decision. Soon running his own electrical business with a hit-and-miss profit margin, he is hired to fix a lowly doorbell for Kennedy. Vaus accidentally discovers someone has planted a hidden mic in the mob boss's home. Kennedy slips him a “Franklin” to find out who. Vaus's easy money is suspiciously on the rise while his new marriage begins a rapid descent. A low point has him working while his wife gives birth to their first child. Another empty promise to be there. He justifies his illegal wiretapping by working for both the mob and the police. That horse-race betting scheme takes a rapid descent as well, with Clements gunned down from behind. Vaus is apprehended, beaten, and given an ultimatum. One final job in St. Louis.

Vaus drives his wife to the safety of her mother's home before his trip to Missouri. Mysteriously, they appear to be without their now pre-school daughter. Lee spots the Graham revival tent and is urged to stop. Bible passages and Graham's poignant words seem to be directed specifically toward Vaus. He tells his wife it is time to face the [Carmichael] music. At life's turning point, he is spiritually guided to accept Christ into his life, relieving his criminal burdens to begin a new life. Mustering the courage to face Kennedy about why he is quitting the syndicate presents a tense scene between them.

Note: In this film, we witness a high-energy Billy Graham during the extended, eight-week-long, Los Angeles Crusade under a huge tent in 1949. The passionate young Graham may appear to be the clichéd “condemning preacher” but he does not condemn nor judge. He simply understands the seriousness of eternity as spelled out in the Bible. Vaus went on to tour the country as an inspirational Christian speaker. Throughout history, God has chosen people to lead. Ignoring these truths and not comprehending the change in Vaus, the ending will likely remain dull.