Breakdown (1952 film)
| Breakdown | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Edmond Angelo |
| Written by | Robert Abel |
| Based on | the play The Samson Slasher by Robert Abel |
| Produced by | Edmond Angelo |
| Starring | Ann Richards William Bishop Anne Gwynne |
| Cinematography | Paul Ivano |
| Edited by | Robert M. Leeds |
| Music by | Paul Dunlap |
Production company | Pegasus Productions |
| Distributed by | Realart Pictures Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Breakdown is a 1952 American crime film noir directed by Edmond Angelo starring Ann Richards, William Bishop and Anne Gwynne. It was the last film of Richards before she retired.[1]
The film was also known as Decision.
Plot
[edit]Framed for murder, heavyweight boxer Terry Williams (Bishop) is sent to prison, but is released after a few years on good behavior. He becomes a championship contender and then, on the eve of the big fight, finds the man who can prove that he was framed for the crime for which he served time.
Cast
[edit]- Ann Richards as June Hannum
- William Bishop as Terry Williams
- Anne Gwynne as Candy Allen
- Sheldon Leonard as Nick Samson
- Wally Cassell as Pete Samson
- Richard Benedict as Punchy
- Joe McTurk as Longshot McGinnis
- John Vosper as Judge Sam Hannum
- Roy Engel as Al Bell
- Norman Rainey as Doc
- Hal Baylor as Joe Thompson
- Elena Sirangelo as Mrs. Prescott
- Gene Covelli as Gumbo, the newsboy
- Michelle King as Girl in Audience
- Al Cantor as Joe DeVito
Production
[edit]Pegasus Productions was a company headed by Max Gifford which announced they were going to make three films. One of these was The Slasher based on a play by Robert Abel. Abel had been a prize fighter for four years.[2] He had written a play The Big Shot which was produced on stage in Los Angeles in January 1951, directed by Edmund Angelo.[3][4]
Abel then wrote The Slasher and Angelo signed to direct. His wife Ann Richards played the female lead.[5] It was Richards' first film in three years.[6] She had retired to have children but came out of retirement to help her husband.[7] The film was then known as Decisions.[8]
Filming started 1 December 1951 at Republic Studios. Shooting went for eleven days.[9]
Pegagus' second production was to be You're Not So Dangerous and was to star Richards as a social worker confused for a gangster's moll.[10] However it appears to have not been made.
Reception
[edit]Variety called Breakdown a "so-so secondary action-meller of only spotty entertainment values."[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "BREAKDOWN". Monthly Film Bulletin. 20 (228). London: 8. 1 January 1953. ProQuest 1305819491.
- ^ T. M. (Dec 9, 1951). "HOLLYWOOD MEMOS". New York Times. ProQuest 111903138.
- ^ Schallert, E. (Jan 24, 1951). "Wordy, sordid back-stage play has strong scenes". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166175072.
- ^ Review of Mr Big Shot at Variety
- ^ Schallert, E. (Oct 2, 1951). "Drama 1-...". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166235151.
- ^ "Monte carlo ballet hits road to city". Los Angeles Times. Oct 4, 1951. ProQuest 166270204.
- ^ "An Australian star remembers". The Canberra Times. Vol. 51, no. 14, 817. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 July 1977. p. 23. Retrieved 23 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Star gains more fame". Los Angeles Times. Nov 24, 1951. ProQuest 166224261.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (1 December 1951). "WARNERS AT WORK ON A NEW MUSICAL; Winston Miller Writing Script With Western Background for 'At the End of the Rainbow'". The New York Times. ProQuest 112105428.
- ^ Schallert, E. (Oct 9, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166245045.
- ^ "Breakdown". Variety. 16 July 1952. p. 6.
External links
[edit]- Breakdown at IMDb
- Breakdown at the TCM Movie Database
- Variety Review
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