Sudden Fear

Director: David Miller David Miller

Overview

Joan Crawford portrays a successful, independently wealthy playwright who fires struggling actor Jack Palance from her latest production. Eventually she and Palance kiss and kiss and kiss and make up, which leads to marriage. One day, Crawford turns on her dictaphone, only to hear the voice of Palance plotting her murder with tartish Gloria Grahame. But Crawford isn't a celebrated playwright for nothing; she takes to her typewriter and concocts a scenario that will hoist Palance on his own petard. There's a notably suspenseful climax, but Sudden Fear is so strident at times that it looks like a Carol Burnett Show parody.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/12/2021
UPC:	0738329252496
Original Release:	1952
Rating:	NR
Source:	Cohen Media Group
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:50:00
Sales rank:	3,608

Special Features

Audio Commentary by film historian Jeremy Arnold, author of "Turner Classic Movies' The Essentials: 52 Must-See Movies and Why They Matter" ; Re-release trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Joan Crawford	Myra Hudson
Jack Palance	Lester Blaine
Gloria Grahame	Irene Neves
Bruce Bennett	Steve Kearney
Virginia Huston	Ann Taylor
Mike Connors	Junior Kearney
Elmer Bernstein	Composer

Technical Credits

Robert Smith

Lenore Coffee

Joe Kaufman	Producer
David Miller	Director
Robert Smith	Screenwriter
Lenore Coffee	Screenwriter
Joan Crawford	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Featuring Joan Crawford at her grande dame victim-turned-avenger best, Sudden Fear (1952) pits Crawford's playwright/heiress Myra against fortune-hunting husband Lester and his equally greedy girlfriend Irene. Featuring gaunt yet imposing newcomer Jack Palance as Myra's scheming spouse, Lester is already a quietly threatening presence even before Myra accidentally discovers his plans and her tony San Francisco house becomes enshrouded in cinematographer Charles Lang Jr.'s film noir shadows. Crawford's Myra may momentarily wilt with grief and terror over Lester's treachery, but she plans her revenge with a force that more than matches rival Gloria Grahame's venal brassiness. Letting Crawford play it both ways while upping the suspense, director David Miller shows Myra systematically enacting her lethal plot in her mind before she attempts to execute the real thing and rediscovers her emotional conscience. Retreating to the titular sensation, Crawford still injects that terror with her formidable will during the climactic nocturnal chase through the slick streets. A triumphant hit for Crawford, Sudden Fear garnered Oscar nominations for Best Actress, Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Costumes; the sizzling Grahame was recognized by the Academy for her supporting turn in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) instead.