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| Ann Sheridan in 1950’s “Lady on the Run,” her first post-WB movie. |
Upon its launch, Lady on the Run was doubtless thought-about a
B+ car for veteran glamour lady Ann Sheridan. Dealing with the ‘50s as an
impartial star, Sheridan was solely 35, however she had been within the motion pictures since
the early ‘30s.
Notable was that
Sheridan was a producer (uncredited) on this movie, in an try to search out higher
roles than she had of late at WB. In that sense, Ann’s instincts have been good. Lady on the Run was an grownup, gritty,
little movie noir with Sheridan enjoying a sensible position. On the time, Lady felt like a step down, though
she was actively concerned with getting it made. Lady on the Run is now thought-about a
rediscovered movie noir gem.
The title’s a misnomer,
because it’s Sheridan’s hubby who’s on the run, and he or she is working after him, attempting to trace him down. (The
authentic brief story was referred to as Man on
the Run.) The couple has drifted aside, although they stay collectively nonetheless,
out of monetary want. He witnesses a homicide and flees, with the dangerous man, cops,
and Sheridan’s spouse after him.
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| Truly, it is the husband who’s on the lam in 1950’s “Lady on the Run,” performed by Ross Elliot. |
Sheridan’s character,
Eleanor Johnson, is bitter about her husband Frank (Ross Elliot), and provides
brittle wisecracks in response to the cops’ questions on him. With a
reporter she will be able to’t shake—Dennis O’Keefe as Dan Legget, the spouse seeks out her
hubby at his varied haunts. Alongside the way in which she finds out features to his character
that she did not know and begins to see their marriage in a special gentle. On
high of this, the cops and spouse have discovered that the husband has a coronary heart
situation and desires his treatment.
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| Ann Sheridan’s spouse sardonically reveals off hubby’s artwork work to Robert Keith’s detective in 1950’s “Lady on the Run.” |
The story is about in
San Francisco and intensive location taking pictures was accomplished there, including authenticity
to the moody environment in addition to a take a look at 1950 San Fran. The setting feels
realistically working class: the couple’s
house is sparse, Sheridan’s garments are easy, and also you get an actual really feel for
a struggling couple in post-war USA.
The forged of veteran
actors are nice, with zingy dialogue, but it surely’s all about Ann Sheridan, who
performs the final word robust cookie that will nonetheless be just a little delicate within the heart—circa
her coronary heart. Sadly, like many golden period stars, Ann all of the sudden began to look a
bit worse for the wear and tear after leaving the massive studios. Solely 35, but she seems to be
older—although care is given in her close-ups. Sheridan was well-known for chain
smoking, which she does all through Lady
on the Run. Sadly, lung most cancers price Annie her life, only a month earlier than her
52nd birthday in 1967.
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| Along with her post-war brief ‘do, Ann Sheridan jogs my memory a dour model of one other redhead, Lucille Ball in her “I Love Lucy” period! From 1950’s “Lady on the Run.” |
Sheridan’s efficiency
is hard, humorous, melancholy, and pure. Ann’s wisecracking experience was
proper up there with Eve Arden; she was additionally trying a bit like that quickly to be
#1 redhead, Lucille Ball. In all equity, the post-war short-curled coiffures did
no movie diva any favors! Ann Sheridan will get delicate close-ups however is in any other case
photographed realistically, not swathed in deep noir shadows, or discovering any
excuse to vary costumes, like different veteran divas who swanned their manner
via ‘50s autos.
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| Ann Sheridan was certainly one of Hollywood’s super-smokers. Sadly, she died of lung most cancers at simply shy of 52 years in 1967. A key scene from 1950’s “Lady on the Run.” |
***Spoiler alert forward, although revealed half manner via the
movie***
Dennis O’Keefe is okay
because the fast-talking reporter, Legget. He completely holds his personal with rapid-fire
repartee with Sheridan and it’s a disgrace that he’s revealed because the villain,
given their chemistry. Robert Keith additionally makes a nice foil as detective to
Sheridan’s sarcastic spouse, each exchanging barbs always. I used to be stunned
that this acquainted movie face was actor Brian Keith’s father! Ross Elliot as
Frank Johnson seems within the movie’s opening and shutting scenes, however the
character is talked about all through. Elliot was a preferred film and TV
“everyman” sort for many years. One memorable profession second was when Elliot performed
the director of Lucy Ricardo’s traditional Vitameatavegamin industrial.
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| Dennis O’Keefe because the reporter who’s on the lookout for greater than a scoop, in 1950’s “Lady on the Run.” |
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| Ross Elliot as Sheridan’s hubby, Frank Johnson, in 1950’s “Lady on the Run.” |
Director Norman Foster
had fairly a life and profession, which I used to be pleasantly stunned to search out out.
Good-looking Foster first began in Hollywood as an actor and was first husband to
movie icon Claudette Colbert. Within the mid-30s Foster segued into directing and
screenwriting. When Foster’s movie directing profession light, he moved into
tv. Alongside the way in which, Foster remarried, to Loretta Younger’s sister, Sally
Blane.
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| Director Norman Foster was as soon as a good-looking actor. |
Hal Mohr’s
cinematography in Lady on the Run is
a traditional in movie noir visuals. Placing angles, shadows, and a fantastically
shot amusement park finale give this movie a lot dramatic punch. Mohr gained two
Oscars for cinematography. The primary was in a write-in marketing campaign for 1935’s
B&W A Midsummer’s Evening Dream.
The second was for Finest Shade Cinematography for 1943’s The Phantom of the Opera. Off-camera, Mohr was married to actress
Evelyn Venable 40 years till he died in 1974.
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| The rollercoaster scene with Ann Sheridan in 1950’s “Lady on the Run” is intense! |
Alan Campbell, husband
of nice wit Dorothy Parker, wrote the screenplay for Lady on the Run. And star Sheridan’s pal, future super-producer
Ross Hunter, wrote further dialogue.
It’s notable that movie
noir professional Eddie Muller mounted a marketing campaign to get Lady on the Run restored, because it had been thought-about misplaced. It took
money and time, however restoration was accomplished, and the movie acquired to belated
acclaim. Now, the movie is a favourite on TCM!
Whereas Lady on the Run has some typical movie
noir twists, they’re fulfilling. However what makes this film stand out is the
real looking writing and performances, which retains viewers completely engaged.
Right here’s my take a look at Ann
Sheridan’s 1947 WB car, Nora Prentiss:
https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2019/02/ann-sheridans-glamour-brightens-gloomy.html
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| Ann Sheridan & Dennis O’Keefe make a nice movie duo in 1950’s “Lady on the Run.” |
