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Sudden Fear | Year: 1952 Classification: Drama Directed: - David Miller Actors/Actresses: - Joan Crawford - Jack Palance - Gloria Grahame Fear with a Twist and then Some This is a first-class thriller based on the novel by Edna Sherry of an affluent playwright who discovers her new husband is planning to kill her. You see, she done him wrong at an earlier date. Now it's retribution time. But who is outdoing whom? Twists abound. Joan Crawford (Oscar nominated) and Jack Palance (his first Oscar nomination) are excellent. The cast also includes Gloria Grahame, Bruce Bennett, Virginia Huston and Touch (Mike) Connors. The effective Black and White cinematography is by Charles Lang (also Oscar nominated). This film also boasts one of Elmer Bernstein's earliest scores. Bernstein has been a leading writer of film scores since the mid-1950s, when his work on THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (1955) and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956) elevated him into the front rank of Hollywood composers. His score for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960) made him immortal and launched him into a string of successful Western scores through that decade. However, he highly has been noted for his strong use of solo instruments and his facility with the jazz idiom. 1999's WILD, WILD WEST returned him to his beloved Western. Great to re-experience the 'fear'... Most of the previous reviewers have done an excellent job of outlining the plot details of this fine older film. I have just a few comments to add. Since DVDs have arrived and video has become a stepchild, we have an excellent opportunity to view old favorites with little impact on the purse. Sometimes a visit to old haunts proves our memory a little faulty or shows the film itself just hasn't aged well. I loved this movie that first time around and it proved to be just as wonderful in a recent memory lane visit. Joan Crawford, never one of my favorite actresses, deserved the Oscar for this performance, not just a nomination. It was definitely one of her best. She was able to convey the 'fear' without making one groan at any overacting. She portrayed a bright woman with a fear, a plan, a conscious, and a heart with brilliance and with just the right amount of conviction. Jack Palance, conversely always a favorite of mine, was his menacing best in this performance without having to overact for a second. The perfect role, played to perfection. It is always enjoyable to see the work of stars you have forgotten were in favorite old films. Touch (Mike) Conners (TV's Mannix) played Sonny in this film, which didn't rumble back into memory when I watched him each week on TV, but I recognized his name in the opening credits immediately this time. It was very interesting to watch him in retrospect in an early effort (perhaps his first?). Hollywood in their infinite wisdom seems to have decided that today's audiences are too jaded, too sophisticated, too juvenile, or too something to enjoy a simple thriller in the ilk of 'Sudden Fear', 'Midnight Lace', or other great 'woman-in-distress/woman-with-a-plan films, unless they modern-it-up as in 'Panic Room'. Perhaps they know a thing or two, since they are wealthy and I work a 9-to-5 job and post reviews on a website. However, speaking for myself, and hopefully for other viewers who still enjoy; a simple plot with character-study, suspense, b/w beauty, and pleasure while viewing, 'Sudden Fear' tells a great story in a suspenseful manner. I still makes for great viewing. Grab yourself a bargain and enjoy! "I was just wondering what I'd done to deserve you." Successful, wealthy playwright Myra Hudson (Joan Crawford) sacks actor Lester Blaine (Jack Palance) from rehearsals for her latest Broadway play. Myra just doesn't see Lester as the great romantic lead she's looking for, but on a train bound for San Francisco, Lester 'coincidentally' meets Myra and shows her just how romantic he can be ... Myra is a great character. She's so used to writing scripts that she mentally writes one for her life as a newlywed. Even though Myra's close associates regard free-loading Lance with suspicion, Myra only sees what she wants to see. She scripts herself as blissfully married to the most wonderful man on the planet, and that's how it plays out. But then Lester's girlfriend, the slightly sleazy, Irene Neves (Gloria Grahame) pops up in San Francisco, and Myra finds out the hard way that Lester is more interested in money than anything else. Myra handles the truth by writing another script in her mind, but carrying her plans out to their inevitable conclusion is a lot tougher in real life. Joan Crawford is spectacular in the role of Myra. She seems to visibly age as events take their toll. Several scenes focus on her wild-eyed neurotic stares, and she manages to have a few hysterical scenes into the bargain. Gloria Grahame is my favourite B film noir actress, so it was a treat for me to see her teamed with Crawford. And Jack Palance as Lester is impressive--there are scenes in which he's so good, it's possible to read his mind and gauge how he wants to murder Myra. Director, David Miller's style is evident, and quite reminiscent of "Midnight Lace" (another husband and wife drama). The 50s San Francisco scenes are phenomenal and accentuate the plot (you'll see why). The DVD transfer leaves a lot to be desired--the picture is grainy and dark, but at least it's on DVD and in print. Joan Crawford fans, seek out this film, and prepare for an evening of suspenseful entertainment--displacedhuman. Buy Sudden Fear at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  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