Craig Zablo

Sudden Fear (1952)

Director: David Miller

Screenplay: Lenore J. Coffee, Robert Smith; based on SUDDEN FEAR by Edna Sherry

Stars: Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, Gloria Grahame, Bruce Bennett, Virginia Huston,  Taylor Holmes, Selmer Jackson, Lewis Martin and Mike Connors.

Tagline:  A Thrilling New High In Suspense Melodrama!

The Plot…

Myra Hudson is a successful Broadway playwright and producer.  Her every production is a success.  She’s powerful, rich and single.  On a train ride across country Myra has a chance meeting with Lester Baine.  He’s an actor that Myra fired from one of her productions not too long ago.

Myra is apologetic, yet Lester says, “No apology needed.”  They talk a bit and really hit it off.  Lester is witty and charming.  Before the train ride is over, Myra is falling in love.  A whirlwind courtship and marriage follow.

What Myra doesn’t know is that Lester doesn’t love her.  It’s an act to gain access to Myra’s money and prestige.  In fact, Lester is having an affair with his old flame (and fellow grifter) Irene.

Myra is so in love with Lester, she decides to secretly revise her will.  She will leave him everything should she die.  Lester learns that Myra is planning to change her will.  He doesn’t know that the change would benefit him.  Lester decides to kill Myra before the change is made.  He recruits Irene and they plan the murder.

Myra accidentally learns that Lester is cheating on her and he very soon he will kill her.  Myra’s shock turns to disbelief, then fear and then a plan for revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Sudden Fear was nominated for four 1953 Academy Awards…

• Nominee for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White – Sheila O’Brien
• Nominee for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Charles Lang
• Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jack Palance
• Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Joan Crawford

Sudden Fear marked Jack Palance’s first Best Supporting Actor Academy Award Nomination.  He would earn his second Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nomination the following year for his performance in Shane.

Joan Crawford not only starred in Sudden Fear, she also served as the film’s Executive Producer.  She was hands-on. Crawford personally selected the film’s screenwriter (Lenore J. Coffee), the director (David Miller), the cinematographer (Charles Lang) and her co-stars (Jack Palance and Gloria Grahame).

Because Joan Crawford optioned the rights to Edna Sherry’s novel, Crawford had more control over the production.  Crawford gambled and took 40% of the film’s profits rather than her normal $200,000.00 salary.  The gamble paid off when the film was a huge success.

Sudden Fear features Mike Connor’s first feature film role.  He is billed as Touch Connor.

Based on the film’s Oscar nominations and reviews, most folks liked Sudden Fear A LOT more than me.  I found Sudden Fear to be overly melodramtic.  I did enjoy the surprise at the end, but felt that much of the danger and suspense could have been easily avoided with better choices from the Joan Crawford character.  As always, your mileage may vary.

Sudden Fear (1952) rates 2 of 5 stars.