Sudden Fear

Infobox Film
name = Sudden Fear


image_size =
caption = Original theatrical poster
director = David Miller
producer = Joseph Kaufman
Joan Crawford (uncredited)
writer = Novel:
Edna SherryScreenplay:
Lenore J. Coffee
Robert Smith
narrator =
starring = Joan Crawford
Jack Palance
Gloria Grahame
music = Elmer Bernstein
cinematography = Charles Lang, Jr.
editing = Leon Barsha
distributor = RKO Radio Pictures
released = flagicon|USA 6 August, 1952
runtime = 110 min.
country = USA
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0045205

"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.

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." [Quirk, Lawrence J.. "The Films of Joan Crawford". The Citadel Press, 1968.] In 1984, writer Spencer Selby noted, "Undoubtedly one of the most stylish and refined woman-in-distress noirs." [cite book | author=Spencer Selby | title=Dark City: The Film Noir | publisher =McFarland Classic | year=1984 | id=ISBN 0-7864-0478-7]

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.

ee also

*Joan Crawford filmography

References

External links

* [http://www.noiroftheweek.com/2008/04/sudden-fear-1952.html Film Noir of the Week]
*tcmdb title|91824

Navbox
name = Joan Crawford
title = The 1940-1970 Films of Miss Joan Crawford
group1 = 1940-1949
list1 = nowrap| "Strange Cargo" (1940) • nowrap| "Susan and God" (1940) • nowrap| "A Woman's Face" (1941) • nowrap| "When Ladies Meet" (1941) • nowrap| "They All Kissed the Bride" (1942) • nowrap| "Reunion in France" (1942) • nowrap| "Above Suspicion" (1943) • nowrap| "Hollywood Canteen" (1944) • nowrap| "Mildred Pierce" (1945) • nowrap| "Humoresque" (1946) • nowrap| "Possessed" (1947) • nowrap| "Daisy Kenyon" (1947) • nowrap| "Flamingo Road" (1949) • nowrap| "It's a Great Feeling" (1949)
name = Joan Crawford
title = The 1940-1970 Films of Miss Joan Crawford
group2 = 1950-1959
list2 = nowrap| "The Damned Don't Cry!" (1950) • nowrap| "Harriet Craig" (1950) • nowrap| "Goodbye, My Fancy" (1951) • nowrap| "This Woman is Dangerous" (1952) • nowrap| "Sudden Fear" (1952) • nowrap| "Torch Song" (1953) • nowrap| "Johnny Guitar" (1954) • nowrap| "Female on the Beach" (1955) • nowrap| "Queen Bee" (1955) • nowrap| "Autumn Leaves" (1956) • nowrap| "The Story of Esther Costello" (1957) • nowrap| "The Best of Everything" (1959)
name = Joan Crawford
title = The 1940-1970 Films of Miss Joan Crawford
group3 = 1960-1969
list3 = nowrap| "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962) • nowrap| "The Caretakers" (1963) • nowrap| "Strait-Jacket" (1964) • nowrap| "I Saw What You Did" (1965) • nowrap| "Berserk!" (1967)
group4 = 1970
list4 = nowrap| "Trog" (1970)