The current U.T. double feature bears out admirably the popular notion that Hollywood's most widely publicized pictures are often its worst. All the publicity in the world can't save "Mother Is A Freshman." "Act of Violence," left to survive on its own merits, is a good melodrama, the strength of which lies in the conflict between the two principals and the resulting suspense.

It is the story of how Joe Parkson, a lame vet, played by Robert Ryan, stalks a prosperous contractor (Van Heflin) who was his senior officer when their plane was forced down during the war and the crew thrown into a German concentration camp. Parkson and ten others had a tunnel built through which they planned to escape. Frank Enley (Heflin) tried to persuade them not to attempt it but when they defied him Enley went to the Nazis, who agreed to leniency in view of the fact that Enley reported the scheme. The Nazis weren't lenient. Parkson was the only one who lived, and in "Act of Violence" he is out to "get" Enley.

Ryan is a determined, calculating pursuer: Heflin is a frightened--later desperate--pursued. Both are excellent and get fine female support from Janet Leigh (Mrs. Enley). Phyllis Thaxter (Parkson's girl), and Mary Astor, who picks up Enley in a bar and eventually leads him to his inevitable, and perhaps just, doom.