Susan Hayward arrives in Hong Kong because her rather irresponsible reporter husband has disappeared--most likely across the border in Communist China. A wide variety of low-lifes offer to help but most seem intent with either bedding her or getting her money. One of these disreputable characters is played by Clark Gable--a man who seems to be heavily involved in the black market and smuggling. Of course Gable falls for Hayward, but the fact that she's loyal to her husband keeps getting in his way.

This is an awfully familiar plot considering Clark Gable played in many movies with similar plot threads from the 1930s until the end of his career. In so many of his films, he played a rogue who was often on the wrong side of the law and who claimed to have no loyalty to anything but himself. However, again and again, by the end of the film, his character turned out to be decent after all--and usually get the girl. Despite all this being present in SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, I enjoyed the movie for two reasons. First, Gable always played those parts so well that it's hard to dislike these films. Second, setting the movie in Hong Kong was a welcome relief and breathed life into the old theme. In particular, the spectacular scenery really enhanced the film and made it sparkle.

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE is one of those 'Eastern adventures' that Hollywood loved making on the occasion. This one has a glamorous starlet in the form of Susan Hayward, who travels to Hong Kong in search of her missing playboy husband, as played by a youthful Gene Barry. She discovers that he illegally entered China and has subsequently gone missing, and the only man to help is roguish adventurer Clark Gable (a little long in the tooth, but still possessing some old-time charisma). This all-colour production is a little stodgy and dated on occasion, but generally gets by on an action-adventure template and lots of local character. Michael Rennie is an asset as the stiff-lipped policeman and the climax doesn't disappoint.

Soldier of Fortune marked Clark Gable's first film away from MGM after his contract was not renewed. 20th Century Fox did right by him, gave him a film to shoot on location in Hong Kong and an actress who was at the height of her career as a new leading lady in Susan Hayward.

This was the second big epic film they shot in Hong Kong that year, the other being Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. Unlike the William Holden- Jennifer Jones epic, Soldier of Fortune leans more to adventure and intrigue than romance.

Hayward's husband Gene Barry is a prisoner of the Chinese government, apparently having taken some pictures he shouldn't have as a freelance photo journalist. Hayward's in Hong Kong to try and affect a rescue and she comes up against some unscrupulous types including Gable. Gable's more interested in her, but helping the husband's rescue is a package deal.

I would have hoped that with the one and only teaming of Gable and Hayward a better story could have been found. Soldier of Fortune isn't a bad film, hardly the worst thing either of them did, but in essence it's really a souped up Grade B adventure saga. The class of the players make it seem more than it is. Plus the fact it was done on location as opposed to the backlot of 20th Century Fox.

Soldier of Fortune has a good cast of character actors. Look for some good performances by Michael Rennie as the British inspector, Alexander D'Arcy as a conniving French rogue and Tom Tully as a slimy influence peddler.