REVIEW: ‘Sudden Fear’ features Joan Crawford, Jack Palance in noir classic
Even though the foreshadowing in David Miller’s Sudden Fear is obvious, there are still many well-earned twists and turns to make this Joan Crawford flick a fun noirish jaunt. The intricately woven plot is deceptively clever and will keep the audience guessing, especially during the film’s taut final third.
Crawford plays playwright Myra Hudson, a San Francisco heiress who is in New York City to premiere her new show on Broadway. The problem is that the leading man, Lester Blaine (Jack Palance), isn’t cut out for the main role, so the playwright exercises her clout and fires the actor. After the play is a critical and box-office smash, Myra heads home to San Francisco, and on the cross-country train trip, she encounters, lo and behold, Lester. The two, surprisingly, strike up an enjoyable conversation and eventual romance. By the time they arrive in the Bay Area, wedding bells can be heard in the distance.
From the get-go, the audience knows there’s an ulterior motive to Lester’s romantic dalliances with Myra. He’s after something: Could it be money? Could it be revenge for being fired? Could it be something secret and unknown? A darkness pervades Lester, even though he puts on a million-dollar smile around Myra and her circle of rich friends.
The foreshadowing is never overdone, but Miller, as a director, knows how to linger on a shot, set up the lighting just so and add in a small detail to the dialogue to let the audience know they should take note. What’s wonderful about the film is that many of these foreshadows don’t amount to much, which leaves the viewer guessing which way the plot will run. There’s an aside about the lack of handrails on a pathway along a cliff’s edge. There’s an explanation of a secretive recording device in Myra’s study. There’s the fact that Lester’s original train ticket was to Chicago not San Francisco. Which of these will pan out and affect the characters’ fate?
In the supporting department, Gloria Grahame plays Irene Neves, a mysterious woman who similarly puts on a smile around Myra but has a different personality when the playwright’s back is turned.
Crawford, who was Oscar nominated for her role, is excellent as Myra, a difficult role for several reasons. In the beginning of the film, she needs to be a strong, independent writer, someone who is a wordsmith and tough-as-nails theatrical creator. After falling in love with Lester, she softens and plays the unexpected romantic. In the final third, Myra needs to become a much darker, much scarier person, and Crawford is able to effectively play all three personas quite well.
Palance is the real find in Sudden Fear. This early role for the legendary actor allows him to flex his creative muscles. He’s charming and sweet during the romantic stage and then cunning whenever Myra is not within earshot. It takes a skilled actor to bring both extremes to light.
Miller’s directing is fitting for the drama. He keeps it light and airy during the New York City and train scenes, and then uses shadows and other lighting effects to portray the foreboding conclusion of this twisted love affair. The screenplay by Lenore J. Coffee and Robert Smith, based on Edna Sherry’s novel, is able to carve out real characterizations for the main roles. Their use of dialogue is crucial because Myra is a playwright herself, and she likes to talk with beautiful language.
Sudden Fear is a deserved classic that showcases Crawford, Palance and the 1950s noir scene in such an invigorating light. Catch the movie at New York City’s Film Forum.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
- Sudden Fear
- 1952
- Directed by David Miller
- Written by Lenore J. Coffee and Robert Smith; based on the novel by Edna Sherry
- Starring Joan Crawford, Jack Palance and Gloria Grahame
- Running time: 110 minutes
- Rating:
