The Glass Web (1953)

Director:

Jack Arnold

Writers:

Robert Blees (screenplay) and
Leonard Lee (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 May 1954 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

The Ultimate in Shocking, Suspenseful 3-D!

Plot:

The ice-cold diva Paula ruthlessly exploits the guys she dates. While blackmailing the married Don with a recent one-night-stand...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | 3 Dimensional | Film Making | Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Cast

Edward G. Robinson	...	Henry Hayes
John Forsythe	...	Don Newell
Kathleen Hughes	...	Paula Rainer (Abbott)
Marcia Henderson	...	Louise Newell
Richard Denning	...	Dave Markson
Hugh Sanders	...	Detective Lt. Mike Stevens
Jean Willes	...	Sonia, Actress playing Paula
Eve McVeagh	...	Viv
Harry Tyler	...	Jake, Prop / Sound Effects Man (as Harry O. Tyler)
John Hiestand	...	Announcer, Crime of the Week
Clark Howat	...	Bob Warren
Bob Nelson	...	Ted, Plainclothesman
John Verros	...	Fred Abbot, Paula's husband
Helen Wallace	...	Mrs. Eve Doyle, Credit Union Officer
Benny Rubin	...	Tramp Comic

Runtime:

81 min | Germany:78 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #16389, Adult Audience)

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

The second of Universal Pictures' 3-D films directed by Jack Arnold (the first was It Came from Outer Space (1953)), this movie was tested in both 2-D and 3-D. Audiences did not prefer the 3-D version and (as a result of sub-standard projection of the stereoscopic 3-D process and the resulting prejudice against 3-D) many preferred the 2-D, flat version of the film. The 3-D version was rarely, if ever shown. There is no evidence that the 3-D version ever opened commercially in Los Angeles and may not even have been shown in New York or other major cities. A 3-D print does exist today, proving (in addition to the studio records) that the film was completed in that format.

Dated But Effective Thriller..

"The Glass Web" was originally filmed in 3-D in 1953. To director Jack Arnold's credit, he doesn't litter the movie with 3-D effects but limits them to scenes that do little to interfere with the plot.

Edward G. Robinson, John Forsythe and Richard Denning are involved in the weekly production of realism crime TV show called "Crime of the Week". Kathleen Hughes plays an actress who "uses" men to achieve her goals. Both Forsythe and Robinson, unbeknownst to each other are involved with her. When she turns up murdered it is decided to make her demise the subject of the season ending show in order to encourage the sponser to pick up the show for the following season. But who really killed her?

"The Glass Web" is interesting not only for its intricate plot and 3-D effects, but for a look inside 1950s TV production. It was a time in television when shows were produced live on a weekly basis. So you can appreciate the pressure upon the production team to come up with a new and interesting show every week. This is the basis behind the plot of this picture.

Robinson is cool and sinister in his role and Forsythe is very good as the harried writer. Kathleen Hughes is also quite good as the femme fatale. Trivia buffs may remember that she was known as "the 3-D girl" during the 3-D craze, due to her many appearances in 3-D films.

"The Glass Web" is a dated but effective thriller representative of the period.