IMDb >
Suddenly (1954)
Watch It
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
at Internet Archive

BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsSuddenly (1954) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 46 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
7 October 1954 (USA) moreTagline:
A cold-blooded thriller!Plot:
In the city of Suddenly, three gangsters trap the Benson family in their own house, on the top of a hill nearby the railroad station, with the intention of killing the president of the USA. full summary | add synopsisNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Fourth chapter from David Moody’s Hater (From Fangoria. 17 February 2009, 9:12 AM, PST)
Movie Reviews: The Way Of The Gun
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 8 September 2000)
User Comments:
Old Blue Eyes Elevates a B film moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Frank Sinatra | ... | John Baron | |
| Sterling Hayden | ... | Sheriff Tod Shaw | |
| James Gleason | ... | Peter 'Pop' Benson | |
| Nancy Gates | ... | Ellen Benson | |
| Willis Bouchey | ... | Carney - Secret Service detail chief | |
| Kim Charney | ... | Peter Benson III (Pidge) | |
| James O'Hara | ... | Jud Kelly - TV repairman (as James Lilburn) | |
| Paul Frees | ... | Benny - henchman in dark suit | |
| Christopher Dark | ... | Bart - henchman in gray suit | |
| Paul Wexler | ... | Deputy Slim Adams, Suddenly Police Dept. | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Kem Dibbs | ... | Wilson - Carney's deputy (as Ken Dibbs) | |
| Clark Howat | ... | Haggerty - Carney's tallest deputy | |
| Charles Smith | ... | Telegrapher's asst. / runner | |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
75 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.75 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Certification:
USA:Unrated | Finland:(Banned) (1954) | Finland:K-14 (1990) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:M | USA:Approved (PCA #17058) | UK:PG | West Germany:12Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Continuity: The TV repair man is listed in the credits as "Jud Hudson" but when asked his name when he arrives to fix the TV, he says his name is "Jud Kelly". moreQuotes:
Peter Benson III: You stinkJohn Baron: You've got guts, kid.
Peter Benson: He's only 8.
John Baron: A LOT of guts.
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Suddenly (1954) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Door-to-Door Maniac | Radar Patrol vs. Spy King | The Night of the Hunter | Bank Alarm | Paradise Express |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |













I'm at a loss to explain why Frank Sinatra chose this particular project in the wake of all the acclaim he got for From Here to Eternity. Without his presence in the film, Suddenly with its length of 75 minutes on my VHS version would be a B film, even with Sterling Hayden starring in it as the sheriff. My guess is that Sinatra wanted to expand and test himself as an actor, something he did less and less of in the following decade.
The President of the United States is coming to the small town of Suddenly where he will leave the train he's traveling on and proceed by motorcade to a vacation in the Sierras. The Secret Service has come to town to do their usual thing in protecting the Chief Executive.
But three contract killers headed by Frank Sinatra are in town to kill the president. We're never told exactly who is paying for this contract, but the inference is that it is our Cold War enemies. Through a combination of circumstances the sheriff is wounded and the head of Secret Service detail, Willis Bouchey, is killed. And the killers are holed up in Nancy Gates's house with her, her father-in-law James Gleason, and child Kim Charney and the wounded Hayden.
Most of the film is taken up with the wait for the train to arrive where a lot of souls are bared open, including Sinatra's. It's the one and only time that Francis Albert ever essayed the role of an out and out villain. He does it well, but I suspect he didn't want to push it with his public too much, so he never did anyone as evil as this again.
Of course history tells us that the president named Eisenhower at the time never was an assassin's target so we know Sinatra's efforts will fail. However it's rather ingenious as to how it does fail.
I think more than fans of old Blue Eyes will like Suddenly.