Rating: 
Summary: fun,gripping film noir
Review: even for those of you who don't like the older films this one might grab you. good example of film noir with dramatic music, dramatic lighting and well-picked cast. the plot involves a devoted husband and a scheming husband. plot accelerates into a mind-blowing climax.
Rating: 
Summary: It was so noir I couldn't see it.
Review: For anyone who has enjoyed a good print of "Sudden Fear," this DVD is likely to be a disappointment . My copy was so dark that I could not enjoy the performances (especially Joan Crawford hiding in the closet and acting by the whites of her eyes.)This is one of my favorite films, but I was not happy with the quality of the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: YOU GO MOMMY DEAREST!
Review: I love seeing Joan Crawford go nuts. The last half is truly suspensful, and that wind-up dog made me wet my pants.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 star movie , 1 star copy !! SHAME !!
Review: i love this movie, but when i watched this dvd version of it, i thought for a moment that my tv was playing up.
the sound and image are dreadfull !!!! adjusting sound and vision on tv doesn't help either, i prefer copying a video tape on dvd myself.
that's not all, nowadays we expect a dvd to come with trailers, documentarys etc.. you know some extras to enjoy the whole surrounding that made the movie. here: NOTHING ! nothing at all
compare this with dvd of "mildred pierce" or "straight jacket"
they come with FAB extras.
this dvd version is done with no effort at all.
Rating:
Summary: Sudden Fear's highlight is it's star
Review: I think if Joan Crawford had not been cast in this film it would not be given much importance because it is not that good a film but she manages to give one of her most sympathetic performances, one for which she was nominated for an Academy Award, although she should have recieved this honor for some of her other work like JOHNNY GUITAR or WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?. Almost singlehandly she manages to provide the movie with many moments of unbearable suspense though the directon is not too shabby. The director David Miller uses light and shadows to provide a good, tension filled atmosphere and Gloria Grahame,in a performance for which she was nomintated as best supporting actress, also supplies great support and she is defintley a highlight. Jack Palance is very menacing in this movie and he also manages to do a good job. The script is not that original though and ultimatly the script is the problem with the movie. And before i forget the story is about a playwright named Myra Hudson(Joan Crawford) who marries the actor she fired from her play(Jack Palance). She then discovers a plot that has been concocted between her husband and his lover( Gloria Grahame) to kill her for her money. Then she comes up with a plot to kill them instead. But will she go through with it? You will have to find out.
Rating:
Summary: Just put on your "Chicago Lipstick", sit back & enjoy
Review: If you never liked Joan, this film may change your mind. Her royal Crawfordship uses all the skills she learned from her days as a silent star, to convey a woman attempting to outsmart her diabolical young husband & his girl. She uses that chiseled face and those big eyes to great advantage. Her reactions to a walking toy dog, while hiding in a closet are priceless. She was nominated for this performance, as was her rival, Bette Davis for "The Star" (ironically, playing a character rumored to be based on Joan!) Of the two, Joan's performance is the winner this time. Jack Palance is brute-hunkable as the husband, and Gloria Grahame puts the film in her pocket and walks away with it. If Gloria Grahame is your competion, than you SHOULD be worried! Ms. Grahame won the supporting actress award that year, but for "The Bad & the Beautiful". (although this film, as well as "The Big Heat" show her at her devious best) As Joan once said "If you want 'the girl next door', then go next door!" Just make sure it isn't Gloria Grahame.
Rating:
Summary: Generous older woman gives younger man his come-uppance
Review: It's great to see a film about a woman of a certain age (was Ms Crawford 50 at the time?) play a role in which her vulnerability, wealth, and need for love having been exploited by a younger man gets her revenge, sort of. All the parts are well written, and though it's Mills and Boon stuff, it's well acted, directed and shot. A classy B movie so to speak. I enjoyed Ms Crawford in this role almost as much as Johnny Guitar and more so than Mildred Pearce. She makes a meal of it and what a meal it is. Yummy stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Forget Crawford, watch Palance and Graham!
Review: Joan Crawford & Jack Palance are sheer perfection in this tightly directed film noir suspense film. Not for a moment does the tension ease! Crawford has done excellent work in many of her large library of films, but this ranks right at the top. This is one to own!
Rating:
Summary: Could be Crawford's Best!
Review: Joan Crawford & Jack Palance are sheer perfection in this tightly directed film noir suspense film. Not for a moment does the tension ease! Crawford has done excellent work in many of her large library of films, but this ranks right at the top. This is one to own!
Rating:
Summary: Crawford in Brilliant Form
Review: Joan Crawford achieved one of her greatest performances in the 1952 suspense classic "Sudden Fear." In the manner of so many great Hollywood classics, this film overcame an initial major hurdle when, after the film's director, David Miller, following dinner and discussion with the great actress, was reportedly told to leave in the most emotional terms by Crawford. The basis for Crawford's strong creative disagreement with Miller, and what would be a pivotal element of the project, was Miller's belief that film newcomer Jack Palance would be ideal for her leading man. As proof of his point, Miller had brought along a film for Crawford to watch after dinner, which was Palance's debut, "Panic in the Streets." After viewing the film Crawford mistakenly believed that Miller had either Richard Widmark or Paul Douglas, longstanding film professionals, in mind to play opposite her, and was insulted when Miller suggested newcomer Palance. Crawford reportedly also was turned off by Palance's appearance. Miller finally got Crawford to see things his way and the rest is cinema history as both the great leading lady and Palance received deserving Oscar nominations for their brilliant performances. Miller was shrewd enough to realize that an offbeat, terrifying looking leading man was just the antidote for Crawford, who therefore could appear vulnerable as was required by the exigencies of the story. The fascinating element about Crawford in this film is that she appears appropriately terrified, forging an entirely different persona from the assertive executive female type she normally played who was in full command of her agenda. The early phase of the film has a "life imitates art" aspect when Crawford, as Myra Hudson, a successful playwright, rejects actor Lester Blaine, played by Palance, for the lead in her Broadway play because he does not look appropriately romantic enough to play as leading man. He angrily tells her before leaving the theater that he looks exactly like that legendary lover of old, Cassanova. After Crawford's play opens to smashing reviews in New York she returns to her home in San Francisco, meeting Palance again as they are traveling on the same train. The second meeting between them becomes so supercharged with emotion that Palance abandons plans to stop in Chicago, where a new job offer beckons, traveling instead to San Francisco with Crawford. Myra Hudson comes from old San Francisco wealth. This along with her rich play royalties make her an enticing catch for the opportunistic Palance, who in time proves he more than looks like Cassanova. Before long the successful socialite and playwright becomes Mrs. Lester Blaine. At that point Palance's old romantic flame from New York, Gloria Grahame, enters the scene. They then plot to kill Crawford for her money. Crawford learns about their plot when it turns up on her dictating machine, unknown to the plotters. The story then enters a uniquely fascinating phase as Crawford seeks to use her playwright's imagination to concoct a scenario wherein the Palance-Grahame team will fail in their attempt and she will survive. Many of the scenes contain little or no dialogue, with Crawford's expressive eyes revealed with haunting conviction as they register alternately sadness over being betrayed by someone to whom she gave her heart and fear over being killed by the ruthless team of Palance and Grahame, who are tough-willed and make it plain they will stop at nothing to achieve their objective of wealth at Crawford's expense. In addition to pulsating drama, viewers are also treated to the beautiful scenery of San Francisco, which is captured magnificently by the camera's all-seeing eye.
| 
