Woman on the Run & Detour
There are still no new movies out on DVD that I can find to watch lately. Hollywood is stuck in a rut, where they seem to just keep churning out remakes and hoping no one figures it out. Their production costs are so sky high these days that very few producers take chances on new ideas.. apparently they just keep going with what has already worked and hope the public doesn’t notice!
Two new movies that were just released pit Abraham Lincoln against supernatural beings. Abe vs Zombies, and Abe vs Vampires. What is up with that? Doesn’t anyone in Hollywood ever have an original idea anymore?
Fortunately for all classic movie buffs, thousands of old movies have fallen into the public domain and are now available to watch for free on one’s computer.
I’ve found some amazing old flicks online recently, and last week watched a couple of Film Noir Classics that kept my eyes glued to the screen!
Both these movies featured strong female protagonists. Most vintage noir movies used the dames as foils for the guys, who did all the action and had all the fun, so it’s always entertaining to see actresses take the lead in these stories.
First up on my double feature was a 1950 noir classic titled “Woman on the Run.”
Ann Sheridan stars in this flick. At the time the movie was made she was 35 years old, which then as now was considered to be a fairly decrepit age for actresses. Ann was a popular pin-up girl during the Second World War…she was called “The Oomph Girl.” and she was indeed lovely.
If you decide to give this movie a look-see, pay attention to the dialog as the film starts. It opens with a bang as a witness is executed to make sure he doesn’t testify at an upcoming trial.
Frank Johnson is down below, taking a late night walk with his dog and sees the whole thing, including the face of the killer, who has shot at Frank as well when he realizes he’s been seen.
Frank calls in the murder, and the cops show up. When they see who the victim is they want to take Frank into protective custody for his own safety, a plan he’s not too keen on since their last witness is lying there dead in a car!
Frank ties up his dog and goes on the lam when no one is looking.
The cops promptly head to Frank’s apartment where they discover his wife Eleanor, played by Ann Sheridan. It quickly transpires that Eleanor and Frank had a very troubled marriage, and she’s not the least bit sympathetic.
The dialog and quips flow fast and furious at this point, with the surly police inspector suggesting that Frank took off to get the hell away from his mean wife. The only food in the cupboard is dog food!
And Eleanor is none too kind to Frank. She’s a disappointed woman, Frank has let her down. He was a talented artist who has never realized his potential. All their dreams have turned to dust for Eleanor.
However, Eleanor goes looking for Frank along with a reporter who claims his publisher wants to pay Frank a thousand bucks for his exclusive story, with the cops hot on their heels.
The story takes an interesting turn, because as Eleanor continues in her quest to find Frank before anyone else, she meets with his co-workers at a department store, and his friends at the restaurant and bar he goes to. They all revere Frank, and think he is a talented artist and truly special man. They love him, and she is surprised to learn from them that Frank still loves her..
Eleanor begins to see Frank again as the creative man she fell in love with, instead of a loser.
Now she really wants to find him, but that killer is hot on her heels!
The movie ends with a delirious scene at a Fun Park, with Eleanor trapped on a roller coaster as she realizes who the killer really is…and he’s stalking Frank down below. It was a stomach churning scene, and a great example of creative film making.
For the second half of my double feature I watched the 1945 noir classic “Detour.” This is a must watch for all noir buffs…it is revered as one of the grittiest noir films ever made on the cheap.
And it features one of the most evil and scary female villains to ever grace the screen!
Vera, played by the appropriately named Ann Savage, never lets you take your eyes off her once she makes her appearance.
The flick is only 68 minutes long, but it’s 68 minutes you can’t tear your eyes away from!
Stephanie Kelley
