Rory Calhoun plays a very respectable looking smuggler for the mob. He's also very handsome, self-assured and women love him. And, considering he tells folks he's in the import/export business, he sounds a lot like an evil version of James Bond! The film begins aboard a plane bound for Hong Kong. Tony (Calhoun) is aboard the plane where he meets a gorgeous writer, Pamela (Barbara Rush). However, something weird happens during the flight--it's hijacked! Everyone is released unharmed but somehow all this is related to Tony--though he appeared to have no part in the hijacking. Later, Pamela and Tony see each other but almost as soon as they meet, Tony's called away on a secret mission for the syndicate! This not only causes friction with him and Pamela but between him and his girlfriend (like James Bond, he's NOT a one woman guy).
Although Tony apparently likes working for the mob, there are some signs this may not go on forever. An old friend of his is now on the run from the mob and Tony's tries to help him--and the mob finds out about this. They take case of the friend but obviously Tony is no longer trusted by his bosses. So, Tony decides to do something rather insane--to go into business for himself. Can he survive? Will his big gamble pay off? And what about Pamela? See the film and you'll find out for yourself.
"Flight to Hong Kong" is a low-budget thriller with second and third-tier actors. This isn't a complaint--the acting is fine--it's just an observation. And, because it's lower budgeted, it doesn't have the nice color cinematography like the similarly plotted Clark Gable film "Soldier of Fortune" but it certainly has a rougher, more noir edge to it. Unlike Gable's character who ultimately turns out to be a swell guy (despite his life living on the edge of organized crime), Calhoun's actually becomes worse and less sympathetic as the film progresses. I actually prefer this harder edge, so I was able to look past the lack of polish. Overall, an exciting and cynical little film that is never dull.
