Retrospective: Sudden Fear (1952)

Written by: Lenore Coffe
Directed by: David Miller
Produced by: Joseph Kaufman
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 HR. 51 mins
Theatrical Release: 1952
Rated: Not Rated
Distributor: Warner Bros. Films
The Cast: Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, Gloria Grahaime,
Bruce Bennett, Touch Connors, Virginia Huston



Since I was 10 years old I loved watching the classic movies of
Hollywood's legendary actor, Joan Crawford. Her brilliant appearances
in many mysteries and dramas are what excited me the most. It was her
unpredictable climatic suspense that always captured my attention.
Joan Crawford was always dramatic, it was her tears of anguish, and
extraordinary portrayal of pain that always skillfully captioned
cameras that specifically zoomed directly into her eyes and face. Her
magnetic eyes and facial expressions always showed such intensity.

Joan Crawford was my hero, Icon, and Emperor on the screen. I just
loved her. The last performance I saw in was on the weekly nightly
series "Night Gallery" a program not seen any more in my area in one
episode of the Night Gallery sitcom she portrayed a blind woman who
wanted her eyes removed. Her excellent performances in "What Ever
Happened To Baby Jane," and "Berserk" were indeed electrifying.

This movie "Sudden Fear" is another splendid piece of cinematic art,
which featured an excellent lead role by Joan Crawford and Jack
Palance. It is a dramatic movie of intrigue, and an audience pleaser.

In this movie, Joan Crawford portrays Myra Hudson an actress, and heir
to her millionaire father. Jack Palance portrays Lester Blanine an
actress that loses his part in a play that Myra star and manage. As a
result, Lester doesn't take this rejection very well, and begins a
plan of deceit and revenge when boarding the same train as Miss
Hudson.

When Miss Hudson and Lester meet on the train they bound, and begin a
blissful romantic relationship. Myra is taken by Lester, a tall dark
and handsome man. She brings Lester to her home, and shares her
invention a dictating machine, a machine that records everything
that's said while walking around in a room. Myra shares this machine
with Lester and tells him to record his voice he romantically recites
poetry and she falls for his smooth mellow voice.

When Myra and Lester spend the day out on the town she invites him to
have dinner with her and friends. He doesn't show up, she becomes
worried and call him to no avail. When Myra tries to find Lester at
his apartment Lester begins his first plan of deception when running
to door with luggage in hand, and pretends he's deserting her. Later
the two marry and an estranged woman appears at the wedding reception.
The woman is a woman of Lester's past and present. Lester has vowed to
convince Myra to change her will, steal her money, and kill her.
Lester's plans of murder backfire when Myra accidentally leaves her
dictation machine on, and over hear Lester and Irene's plans to kill
her in three days. With the use of a key, glove, a letter, an
Apartment, tears, and deceit Myra masterminds a scheme that ultimately
out wit Lester, and Irene's plans.

..

Final Thoughts on "Sudden Fear"

"Sudden Fear" is an outstanding movie, the acting by lead actor Joan
Crawford, and Jack Palance is superb. Joan Crawford in her leading
role as Myra Hudson is brilliantly executed with a superbly smooth and
cunning portrayal. Jack Palance in his lead role as Lester Blaine is
brilliantly cast. Gloria Grahame in her lead acting role as Irene is
very and well done with a sleazy touch. The black and white
cinematography is perfect for this motion picture. As for the script,
it is well written, and well organized making this story's host of
intrigue and suspicion convincing. Sudden Fear is a fantastic drama
and a well-done movie of its era.

"Sudden Fear" is a must see movie, for classic movie viewers and Joan
Crawford fans.

Reviewed by Lisa Smith
(c)2007