Sudden Fear

All you want to know about Sudden Fear

Sudden Fear

Original theatrical poster
Directed by David Miller
Produced by Joseph Kaufman
Joan Crawford (uncredited)
Written by Novel:
Edna SherryScreenplay:
Lenore J. Coffee
Robert Smith
Starring Joan Crawford
Jack Palance
Gloria Grahame
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Cinematography Charles Lang, Jr.
Editing by Leon Barsha
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
Release date(s) Flag of the United States 6 August 1952
Running time 110 min.
Country  United States
Language English

Sudden Fear (1952) is an RKO Radio Pictures feature film starring Joan Crawford and Jack Palance in a noir-ish tale about a successful woman who marries a murderous man. The screenplay by Lenore J. Coffee and Robert Smith was based upon the novel by Edna Sherry. Sudden Fear was directed by David Miller and produced by Joseph Kaufman. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards and has been released to DVD.

Contents

Plot and cast

Myra Hudson (Crawford) is a successful Broadway playwright who rejects Lester Blaine (Palance) as the lead in her new play. Later, she meets Lester on a train bound for San Francisco, is swept off her feet, and, after a brief courtship, marries him. When Lester learns Myra is writing her will and plans to leave the bulk of her fortune to a foundation, he plots her murder in cahoots with Irene Neves (Gloria Grahame), an old girlfriend hiding in the wings. Myra discovers their plans and concocts a diabolical scheme to kill Lester and place the blame on Irene. Lester learns of Myra's intention and accidentally kills Irene and himself in an attempt on Myra's life. Myra hears the two pronounced dead and breathes a sigh of relief. Others in the cast include Bruce Bennett, Virginia Huston, and Mike Connors (performing as Touch Connors).

Production notes

Marlon Brando was originally offered the role of Lester Blaine. The film was shot in San Francisco, California. Costumes were designed by Sheila O'Brien and earned an Academy Award nomination.

Reception

A. H. Weiler in the New York Times commented, "Joan Crawford should be credited with a truly professional performance", and Otis L. Guernsey, Jr. in the New York Herald Tribune wrote, "The scenario...is designed to allow Miss Crawford a wide range of quivering reactions to vicious events, as she passes through the stage of starry-eyed love, terrible disillusionment, fear, hatred, and finally hysteria. With her wide eyes and forceful bearing, she is the woman for the job."[1] In 1984, writer Spencer Selby noted, "Undoubtedly one of the most stylish and refined woman-in-distress noirs."[2]

Awards

Sudden Fear was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role: Joan Crawford, Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Jack Palance, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White and Best Costume Design, Black-and-White.

See also

References

  1. ^ Quirk, Lawrence J.. The Films of Joan Crawford. The Citadel Press, 1968.
  2. ^ Spencer Selby (1984). Dark City: The Film Noir. McFarland Classic. ISBN 0-7864-0478-7. 

External links

v • d • e
The 1940-1970 Films of Miss Joan Crawford
1940-1949
Strange Cargo (1940) • Susan and God (1940) • A Woman's Face (1941) • When Ladies Meet (1941) • They All Kissed the Bride (1942) • Reunion in France (1942) • Above Suspicion (1943) • Hollywood Canteen (1944) • Mildred Pierce (1945) • Humoresque (1946) • Possessed (1947) • Daisy Kenyon (1947) • Flamingo Road (1949) • It's a Great Feeling (1949)
1950-1959
The Damned Don't Cry! (1950) • Harriet Craig (1950) • Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) • This Woman is Dangerous (1952) • Sudden Fear (1952) • Torch Song (1953) • Johnny Guitar (1954) • Female on the Beach (1955) • Queen Bee (1955) • Autumn Leaves (1956) • The Story of Esther Costello (1957) • The Best of Everything (1959)
1960-1969
1970
Trog (1970)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_Fear"

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