Fearful Decision (1956)
"Ransom!" (original title)

The Stannards' son is kidnapped for ransom. Plot centres around Ford's (the father) efforts to find him.

Director:

Alex Segal

Writers:

Cyril Hume, Richard Maibaum

Stars:

Glenn Ford, Donna Reed, Leslie Nielsen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenn Ford	...	David G. 'Dave' Stannard
Donna Reed	...	Edith Stannard
Leslie Nielsen	...	Charlie Telfer
Juano Hernandez	...	Jesse Chapman aka Uncle Jesse
Robert Keith	...	Police Chief Jim Backett
Richard Gaines	...	Langly
Mabel Albertson	...	Mrs. Partridge
Alexander Scourby	...	Dr. Paul Y. Gorman
Bobby Clark	...	Andy Stannard
Ainslie Pryor	...	Al Stannard
Lori March	...	Elizabeth Stannard
Robert Burton	...	Sheriff Jake Kessing
Juanita Moore	...	Shirley Lorraine
Mary Alan Hokanson	...	Nurse
Robert Stevenson	...	Fred Benson (as Robert Forrest)

Storyline

When his son Andy is kidnapped and held for ransom, David Stannard liquidates his assets to meet the half-million dollar demand. A casual remark by newspaper reporter Charlie Telfer makes him change his mind. Despite the pleas from his wife Edith and brother Al, and the resultant condemnation of the press and public, Stannard goes on a nation-wide television program, displays the money and warns the kidnapper that not one cent will be paid for ransom; instead the money will be used to track down the kidnapper if Andy isn't returned unharmed. The police then find the boy's blood-stained shirt.

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Plot Keywords:

ransom | father | suspense | based on tv movie | kidnapping

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 1956 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Menschenraub

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Leslie Nielsen's first film.

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Quotes

Mrs. Partridge: Who is this person?
Charlie Telfer: Jack the Ripper. Times Chronicle.

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Connections

Featured in MGM Parade: Episode #1.19 (1956)

User Reviews

Powerful and thought provoking drama based purely on the characters.

Restrained performances and confined locations make this a powerful thriller. Glenn Ford is superb in the role, Leslie Neilson however is a tad over the top. Where this film succeeds is in sticking with the main character and never straying from his confinement or his pain, and when it comes to the hardest decision of his life, you're battered by the argueing group. Gritty and thought provoking.