Ransom! (1956)

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

This film was based on an episode of The United States Steel Hour called "Fearful Decision" that first aired live on June 22, 1954. It was so well received it was restaged on May 10, 1955. After this film was made, it was remade by 'Ron Howard' as Ransom.

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Quotes

David G. Stannard: Now I see why the unemployed have so many children.

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Connections

Version of The United States Steel Hour: Fearful Decision (1955)

User Reviews

Capable knuckle-biter...

Close-knit family is torn apart after young boy is kidnapped. Glenn Ford does his usual first-class work as the boy's distraught father, though the supporting performances fail to match up or make any impact of their own. Director Alex Segal shows no imagination behind the camera, and his film is workman-like in the manner of TV dramas. Donna Reed's hysterical mom becomes tiresome before too long, and there isn't much detail on the kidnappers themselves (whom we never see). By giving us some inkling of their plans or intrinsic motives, the movie might have felt more fully played out. Still, Ford is almost always worth watching, and his thoughtful work should certainly please his fans. Remade in 1996 with Mel Gibson. ** from ****