WOMAN ON THE RUN

US, 1950, 77 minutes, Black and white.
Ann Sheridan, Dennis O’ Keefe, Robert Keith, John Qualen.
Directed by Norman Foster.

Woman on the Run is a brief film noir from Universal Studios. It is a star vehicle for Ann Sheridan who had been prominent in Warner Bros films in the 1930s and 40s. She had a lesser career during the 1950s. Dennis O’ Keefe also began acting in the 1930s and was a reliable hero – but in this film, seeming hero, actual villain. Robert Keith is the police inspector.

The film is more man on the run rather than woman on the run. An artist witnesses a murder, can identify the killer, flees from the police. His estranged wife begins a search for him, discovers his talent, his heart condition, his loving her. She avoids the police but is helped by a newspaperman, played by Dennis O’ Keefe. The film takes place over a short period of time as the search for the artist continues.

There is a tour de force sequence towards the end of the film with O’Keefe? and Ann Sheridan on a roller coaster, Ann Sheridan by herself, black and white photography effective, editing effective to convey the terror of the woman as well as her desperate wanting to help her husband.

The film was co-written and directed by Norman Foster, who directed seven Mr Moto films and three Charlie Chan films in the 30s, directed more prestigious films like Rachel and the Stranger and, for Orson Welles, Journey Into Fear.

1. The popularity of film noir during the late 1940s, early 1950s? This film as an example?

2. The title, the role of Eleanor, her searching for her husband, the husband on the run?

3. The black and white photography, atmosphere? The roller coaster sequence and its effect? Style? The musical score?

4. The opening, Frank and his walking the dog, the murder, the light, recognising the killer’s face? The reference to Danny Boy?

5. His reporting to the police, the inspector and his interrogation? Frank and his running away? The fear of the killer going after him?

6. The visit to Eleanor, her relationship with her husband, the estrangement? Yet her concern? Her dislike of the police? The search? Her husband being an artist? The later discovery of his heart condition, the need to find tablets for him?

7. Dan Legget, turning up, on the roof, encountering Eleanor? Offering to help? Newspaperman?

8. Eleanor and Dan and their search? Going to the club, the Chinese dancers, the information? The phone calls by Dan? The address on the menu? Their going to see Maibus? Eleanor discovering more about her husband’s art? Maibus’s praise of the artist?

9. The continued police investigations, encountering Eleanor? Questions? Following her? The woman tailing her and her confrontation with her?

10. The message, the phone calls? Eleanor trying to remember the place where they would go in the past? A rendezvous? Dan Legget and his urging her to find the place?

11. Going to the entertainment park, the rides, on the roller coaster? Eleanor and her finding her husband?

12. Dan, his being revealed as the killer, his pursuit of the artist? The fight, the gun?

13. Eleanor, on the roller coaster, her fear, wanting to get free, find her husband? The body in the water? The inspector, the shooting of Leggett? The saving of the artist?

14. Brief ingredients, 40s and 50s style? Crime thriller?