Movie Review: Sudden Fear (1952)
Synopsis: Myra Hudson was born wealthy but is making her own fortune as a successful playwright. While traveling by train from New York to her home in San Francisco, she bumps into Lester Blaine, an actor she fired from her latest play because he didn't look right for the part. They bond on the long journey and, soon after arriving in San Francisco, marry. She believes he loves her until her dictating machine inadvertently records Lester and his secret girlfriend, Irene, plotting to kill her.
Who's in it? The movie stars Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, Gloria Grahame, Bruce Bennett and Virginia Huston.
Review: I had started out watching a different movie this morning but after discovering that one was in a different language and it was too early to read subtitles, I ended up watching Sudden Fear instead. Overall, I have to say it was a good second choice.
The movie's story is well-written. I especially liked how the film took the time to show Myra (Crawford) and Lester's (Palance) courtship, so it was easier to understand how she fell in love with him and made it clear their marriage wasn't just something that happened on a whim. This, in turn, made it easier to understand why she was fooled and the level of heartbreak she must have had after overhearing his plan.
Myra's revenge plan, revealed through a list and her own thoughts, was an intriguing one. It was well-calculated but at the same time, I wasn't sure if it was something she'd actually be able to pull off. This is both because of so many variables, such as either Lester or Irene (Grahame) not being where they were supposed to be at her estimated times, and because Myra did love her husband and there was always the possibility her feelings would prevent her from going through with the plan. Plus, Irene's fake boyfriend, Junior (Mike Connors) was a bit of a wildcard in all of it as well, since he didn't know Irene didn't actually have feelings for him and it wasn't guaranteed he wouldn't be around.
And, without revealing too many details, let's just say it set up a suspenseful ending with a clever surprise twist.
I was more than a little curious why Myra didn't just go to her attorney, Steve Kearney (Bennett), and get his help, especially when they were in the same room together at one point. Myra might have accidentally destroyed the evidence, but it wasn't as though Lester was being extra careful about hiding his affair. It felt as though she could have easily saved her life, exposed Lester/Irene for what they were and not done anything that would have potentially resulted in her going to prison.
In fact, if I have any complaints about the movie, it would be the decision not to explain this part of it. It couldn't have been fear of a scandal because her plan wouldn't have avoided that. I'm also not buying it being completely the result of her raw emotions over her heart being broken because of how cool headed she was up until that point. It didn't hurt the movie but clarifying that also wouldn't have.
Final Opinion: It's a solid, suspenseful movie that takes full advantage of its talented cast. It's worth taking the time to watch if you get a chance.
My Grade: A
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Here are some reviews of other classic thrillers:
Movie Review: I Bury the Living (1958)
Movie Review: Blackmail (1929)
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