Cry Wolf (1947)

Recently widowed Sandra Demarest arrives at the isolated home of her late husband for his wake, but his uncle will not allow her to view the corpse.

Director:

Peter Godfrey

Writers:

Catherine Turney (screenplay), Marjorie Carleton (novel)

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck, Geraldine Brooks

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Errol Flynn	...	Mark Caldwell
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Sandra Marshall
Geraldine Brooks	...	Julie Demarest
Richard Basehart	...	James Demarest
Jerome Cowan	...	Sen. Caldwell
John Ridgely	...	Jackson Laidell
Patricia Barry	...	Angela (as Patricia White)
Rory Mallinson	...	Becket
Helene Thimig	...	Marta (as Helen Thimig)
Paul Stanton	...	Davenport
Barry Bernard	...	Roberts - Groom

Storyline

Sandra Demarest arrives at the Caldwell estate, and announces to Mark Caldwell that she was secretly married to his nephew James, who recently died. Mark does not believe her, but allows her to remain at the manor while a search is made for a missing will that would prove her claim. Sandra befriends James' sister, Julie, who tells of strange noises and agonized screams from the laboratory wing of the estate. Between verbal duels with Mark, Sandra secretly investigates the lab and learns that ominous things really are happening.

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Plot Keywords:

laboratory | wake | crime wave | horse | falling to death | 

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Taglines:

The howl in the night is the voice of danger.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 August 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amargo recelo

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thomson Productions, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final of three film collaborations between director Peter Godfrey and Barbara Stanwyck; the other two films they worked on together were Christmas in Connecticut (1945) and The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947). The pair developed a strong, lasting friendship while working on these films.

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Quotes

Mark Caldwell: I don't know what plans you have in that devious feminine mind of yours, but if you're trying to enlist Julie's sympathy, don't do it.
Sandra Marshall: And if i ignore your advice?
Mark Caldwell: I shall kick you out!

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Connections

Referenced in Law & Order: Cry Wolf (2004)

User Reviews

Hard-headed Stanwyck goes down in flames unearthing family skeletons!

This is a great movie about trust, and how suspicion, cynicism, and paranoia can influence our impressions of people. From the start, the characters played by Stanwyck and Flynn (both giving remarkable, nuanced performances) have an essential distrust of each other. Stanwyck is investigating the death of her husband, who she freely admits she did not love, in order to collect a large inheritance. Thus, Flynn's impression of her character is not very high. Stanwyck, on the other hand, begins to suspect Flynn as having a role in her husband's death (or is he still alive, lurking around in the mansion late at night?).

There is a great scene in which Flynn kisses Stanwyck, which she accepts eagerly in spite of the negativity between them. "Why did you do that?" Stanwyck asks. "It was the scientist in me," he said, "I wanted to test if my first impression of you was correct." Zing! Of course that is followed by an iconic Stanwyck slap.

One of Stanwyck's first lines is, "I am not a placid woman," and throughout the film the behavior of her character proves that stubbornness her downfall. Her curiosity leads her to ever more risky explorations of Flynn's lab, as well as sneaking around and learning whatever she can about what goes on behind closed doors. This creates the suspense, and it's a role that seems tailor-made to Stanwyck's independent personality.

Flynn is equally impressive in a role that calls for ambiguity. The viewer is left to guess whether Flynn, who seems rigid and controlling, is the villain. Flynn succeeds in providing the character with a sufficient amount of depth and stability to have the viewer, and Stanwyck, questioning his intentions.

The production is first-rate. Of particular interest is the fine score and cinematography. The ending ties up all the loose ends in memorable and satisfying fashion. The last line, "I didn't trust you, either," seems to describe the wall of doubt and distrust that can be forged between two people when the worst of human nature is assumed.