Woman on the Run (1950)

Frank Johnson becomes an eyewitness to a murder. He's pursued around San Francisco by his wife, the police, and the killer.

Director:

Norman Foster

Writers:

Alan Campbell (screenplay), Norman Foster (screenplay)

Stars:

Ann Sheridan, Dennis O'Keefe, Robert Keith

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ann Sheridan	...	Eleanor Johnson
Dennis O'Keefe	...	Dan Legget
Robert Keith	...	Inspector Ferris
John Qualen	...	Maibus
Frank Jenks	...	Detective Shaw
Ross Elliott	...	Frank Johnson
Jane Liddell	...	Messenger Girl
Joan Shawlee	...	Blonde (as Joan Fulton)
J. Farrell MacDonald	...	Sea Captain
Steven Geray	...	Dr. Hohler
Victor Sen Yung	...	Sam
Reiko Sato	...	Suzie (as Rako Sato)
Syd Saylor	...	Sullivan
Tom Dillon	...	Joe Gordon (as Thomas P. Dillon)

Storyline

Frank Johnson (Ross Elliott), sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police Inspector Ferris (Robert Keith), on the theory that Frank is trying to escape from possible retaliation. Frank's wife, Eleanor (Ann Sheridan), suspects he is actually running away from their unsuccessful marriage. Aided by a newspaperman, Danny Leggett (Dennis O'Keefe), Eleanor sets out to locate her husband. The killer is also looking for him, and keeps close tabs on Eleanor.

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Plot Keywords:

police inspector | public domain | shot twice | border collie | witness | 

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Taglines:

As Startling as Your OWN Scream in the Night!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ann Sheridan not only hoped this film would rekindle her acting career after leaving Warner Bros., but as a silent co-producer, she also had a financial stake in its success.

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Goofs

On the exterior of his office building, Dr. Hohler's given name is listed as Arnold. On his office door, it is listed as Arthur.

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Quotes

Inspector Ferris: Don't you eat anything but dog food?
Eleanor Johnson: He's not particular, and I'm lazy, so we eat out.

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Connections

Followed by Love Is a Roller Coaster: Woman on the Run Revisited (2016)

User Reviews

Excellent low budgeter

While out late one night walking his dog, Frank Johnson finds himself in the unwanted situation of being a witness to a murder, the killer sees Frank and fires two shots but misses. The police arrive and inform Frank that as he can identify the killer he has to be taken in protective custody, as the man killed was also a witness in a case against a big mob boss and he will surely be the next target. However, fearful for his life Frank goes on the run. His wife Eleanor (Ann Sheridan) soon finds out that he husband is not the person she had been bored with, but an intelligent, talented and witty man that many people like for many reasons, believing her marriage was in permanent decline, she suddenly remembers why she loved him in the first place and sets out to find him with the help of a a very eager local reporter Danny Leggett (Dennis O'Keeffe) intent on a big story that might just save his own career. The search is made all the more frantic when Eleanor discovers Frank had been hiding a heart defect from her and that the police have ordered all pharmacies not to give out his required drug without their say so.

Woman on the Run completes my viewing of Antonius Block's Top 100 Noir list and its a good one to finish with, it starts quite slowly but ups the tension with each passing minute,as the police and the killer also join the chase. O'Keeffe and Sheridan are both excellent in their respective roles and for such a low budget film, there is some very fine camera-work, in particular the scenes in the amusement park at the finish. The only thing that irked me just a little was the identity of the killer was given away too soon, albeit a nice twist, but then at a brisk 77 mins, I can't really have too much to complain about. I watched the Alpha Video disc and being a fan of Foster's work I would certainly be interested in seeing a better print of this film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

4 February 1951 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Man on the Run

Filming Locations:

Ocean Park Pier, Santa Monica, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fidelity Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1