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Sudden Fear (1952)

Rate: 5
Viewed: 10/26

SuddenF
10/26: I've never liked Joan Crawford because of her soap opera acting.

Sudden Fear is a good example. Jack Palance was doing so well at the beginning and then got upstaged by Joan Crawford, taking over the rest of the film. As a matter of fact, I should call this one Sudden Joan which is all about her face with wide eyes that's held constant for so long. How about these ridiculously expensive clothes and jewelry she wears? Had Gloria Grahame replaced her, my tune would change a lot since she's a naturally gifted actress when it comes to film noir.

The story is a cross between The Heiress and Suspicion. Many will say the suspense feels Hitchcockian, but I've found the whole thing to be overwrought and melodramatic. Jack Palance makes a fool out of himself at the end as if he came off the set of Panic in the Streets. I can't even see him in a romantic lead due to his face that resembles Frankenstein's monster. Obviously, his character is going to be the bad guy.

At least, Charles B. Lang's cinematography holds the film together very well. The final five minutes isn't bad but invites plenty of questions. The most prominent is: since the wife is filthy rich, why didn't she hire a private detective to shadow her husband until he's caught in the act of trying to kill her? The other sensible course of action is disappearing from the house without notice and promptly filing for divorce. Her lawyer seems to be competent, and I'm sure he'll understand the reversal of fortune.

All in all, Sudden Fear is simply ruined by Joan Crawford.