The Desperate Hours (1955)

Glen, Hal and Sam are three escaped convicts who move in on and terrorize a suburban household.

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Joseph Hayes (screenplay), Joseph Hayes (adapted from the novel and play by),

Stars:

Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March, Arthur Kennedy

3 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Humphrey Bogart	...	Glenn Griffin
Fredric March	...	Dan C. Hilliard
Arthur Kennedy	...	Deputy Sheriff Jesse Bard
Martha Scott	...	Ellie Hilliard
Dewey Martin	...	Hal Griffin
Gig Young	...	Chuck Wright
Mary Murphy	...	Cindy Hilliard
Richard Eyer	...	Ralphie Hilliard
Robert Middleton	...	Sam Kobish
Alan Reed	...	Detective
Bert Freed	...	Tom Winston
Ray Collins	...	Sheriff Masters
Whit Bissell	...	FBI Agent Carson
Ray Teal	...	State Police Lt. Fredericks

Storyline

After escaping from prison, Glenn Griffin, his brother Hal and a third inmate Sam Kobish randomly select a house in a well-to-do suburb of Indianapolis in which to hide out. The home belongs to the Hilliard family, Dan and Ellie who live there with their 19-year old daughter Cindy and their young son Ralph. They plan on staying only until midnight as Griffin is awaiting his girlfriend who will meet them with some money he had stashed away. When she doesn't arrive, their stay stretches out to several days. Dan Hilliard plays their game knowing that if he makes any attempt to contact the police, his family could be caught in the crossfire.

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Plot Keywords:

police | escaped convict | suburb | money | children | 

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Taglines:

A reign of violence sweeps the screen

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 February 1956 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Horas desesperadas

Filming Locations:

Colonial Street, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,388,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first black and white movie in VistaVision.

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Goofs

When Glenn is having breakfast, he takes the cup from his left hand side and puts it on his right. It then hops back and forth between shots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[the morning newspaper hits the front door]
Eleanor Hilliard: I'll get it, darling.
Dan Hilliard: Some morning I'm gonna catch up with that kid.

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Connections

Referenced in My Mother the Car: Desperate Minutes (1966)

User Reviews

great movie!

When I first saw this movie, I thought that it was a very interesting concept.....and I still do. I especially like the part where the police/FBI are observing the house in question from the attic of the neighbor's home. And, the look on Humphrey Bogart's face when his brother, Hal, expresses his discontent at where life has brought him so far.....is a 'look' only Bogie can muster. In short, this is a daring, exciting movie. It all takes place in Anywhere, U.S.A. (actually, Indianapolis) and life in suburbia would never be the same for the Hilliard crew. I highly recommend this movie. This is not the usual film that is mentioned when talking about Humphrey Bogart, but it's one of his best. It's a worthy addition to anyone's home movie collection!