Framed (1947)

Mike Lambert, seeking a mining job, instead becomes the patsy for a femme-fatale's schemes.

Director:

Richard Wallace

Writers:

Ben Maddow (screen play), John Patrick (story)

Stars:

Glenn Ford, Janis Carter, Barry Sullivan

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Glenn Ford	...	Mike Lambert
Janis Carter	...	Paula Craig
Barry Sullivan	...	Steve Price
Edgar Buchanan	...	Jeff Cunningham
Karen Morley	...	Beth
Jim Bannon	...	Jack Woodworth

Storyline

Mike Lambert, unemployed mining engineer, arrives in a small town with a bang when the brakes fail on the truck he's driving. After meeting seductive Paula at the La Paloma Cafe, he finds himself in trouble with the law. On the basis of a few burning glances, Paula pays his fine and finds him a room, but her motives are not what they seem. Mike lucks into a job with miner Jeff Cunningham, but against his will he's drawn ever deeper into Paula's schemes.

---

Plot Keywords:

flagstaff | flagstaff arizona | reference to flagstaff arizona | reference to arizona | femme fatale | 

---

Taglines:

"Let's get things straight about you and me and him..."

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

They Walk Alone

Filming Locations:

Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was made in 1947 when the House Un-American Activites Committee began its investigation of communism in Hollywood. Three of the people involved in this film, the screenwriter Ben Maddow, the actors Karen Morley and Art Smith were eventually blacklisted.

---

Goofs

Why in the world would a smart girl like Paula keep the murder weapon? A high school kid would figure to get rid of it in the lake or someplace.

---

Quotes

[last lines]
Bank Guard: You'll get a big reward for this.
Mike Lambert: You keep it!

User Reviews

Carter Showcase

What an opening! Mike's truck goes careening down a mountain road before pinballing through town. It's not only a riveting effect, but establishes Mike (Ford) as an honest workingman when he turns over his proceeds to the injured Jeff (Buchanan). Too bad he meets up with spider woman Paula (Carter) who spins a greedy web around the well- meaning patsy. As Paula, Carter is a powerful presence. She's got a way of acting that shows a lot of eyeball that's kind of scary. Actually, I think she's too strong, making her switch to the laid-back Mike not very believable. Their chemistry never really gels the way Paula's does with Steve (Sullivan). Unfortunately, that's a lack that undercuts the script's central twist.

Still, it's a solid noir thanks to the classic elements of the screenplay. Ford makes an interesting low-key fall guy. Not too many mining engineers turn up in noir, which I guess accounts for his occasional spiffy suits that look more like uptown Manhattan than temporary truck driver. Still, he's basically the classic working stiff looking for a job. Too bad he sees Paula's well-turned ankle first. Anyway, director Wallace films in journeyman style, except for that one inspired moment after the crash when Paula does a sharp gasping intake. It's a brief cameo shot whose only purpose is to connect Paula's sexuality with violence. For 1947, that's daring and Carter brings it off memorably. I guess it just goes to show how less can imply so much more in the imagination—a lesson contemporary film seems to have forgotten.

The movie may not be front rank noir, but it does have its moments.