Woman on the Run (1950)

When Frank Johnson becomes an eyewitness to a murder, he's pursued around scenic San Francisco by his wife, the police, and the murderer.

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 (as J.Farrell MacDonald)
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

The failure of the original copyright holder to renew the film's copyright resulted in it falling into public domain, meaning that virtually anyone could duplicate and sell a VHS/DVD copy of the film. Therefore, many of the versions of this film available on the market are either severely (and usually badly) edited and/or of extremely poor quality, having been duplicated from second- or third-generation (or more) copies of the film.

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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

Eleanor Johnson: [in the dark shadows of a roller coaster on the deserted beach at night] I don't like this place.
Dan Legget: It's a good spot. I used to come here with my girl when I was a kid. It's more frightening than romantic. It's the way love is when you're young... life is when you're older.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

Far better than I ever would have anticipated....

Considering that this film is in the public domain AND I've never heard of it, I naturally assumed it would be a pretty crappy example of Film Noir. However, I was very pleasantly surprised and recommend you give this film a try. It's very well written and gives Ann Sheridan perhaps her best film role as a very noir-like 'dame'! In addition to her lovely performance, you have ubiquitous Robert Keith (a face you'll recognize but a name you will not) and Dennis O'Keefe.

The film begins with some ordinary guy walking his dog late at night. He just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as he accidentally sees a witness against a mobster in an upcoming court case being murdered...and the guy with the dog clearly sees the killer. However, this guy is no hero and as soon as he gets a chance, he escapes from police custody as he does NOT want to be a witness--figuring that he'll be killed if he does give evidence in court. Here is where it gets interesting: when the cops locate this missing witnesses wife, she is less than helpful but also seems to care little for the guy. Sheridan is wonderful as the snappy-talking wife--and there is much more to it--much more. But I really don't want to go further, as it would compromise your enjoying the film.

The bottom line is that the film is wonderfully written, gritty and very exciting film. In addition, the film works well well because it is well-acted and directed. It is not a famous noir film but is among the best--and amazingly enough, all you need to do is follow the link on IMDb to download it for free.

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