Woman on the Run

Woman on the Run

By

  • Genre: Thriller, Crime, Mystery
  • Release Date: 1950-11-10
  • Runtime: 77 minutes
  • : 6.8
  • Production Company: Fidelity Pictures Corporation
  • Production Country: United States of America
    • Watch it NOW FREE
6.8/10
6.8
From 94 Ratings

Description

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

Trailer

Reviews

  • John Chard

    7
    By John Chard
    It's more frightening than romantic. It's the way love is when you're young... life is when you're older. Woman on the Run is directed by Norman Foster who also co-adapts the screenplay with Alan Campbell from a story by Sylvia Tate. It stars Ann Sheridan, Dennis O'Keefe, Robert Keith and Ross Elliott. Music is by Arthur Lange and Emil Newman and cinematography by Hal Mohr. When Frank Johnson (Elliott) witnesses a man being shot and he himself is shot at by the killer, he decides to go on the run rather than trust police protective custody. The police turn to Frank's wife, Eleanor (Sheridan) to help track him down, but she thinks he has other reasons to runaway. Aided by newspaperman Danny Leggett (O'Keefe), who is after the exclusive story, Eleanor follows the trail left by her husband; but nothing is as it first seems... Compact at under 80 minutes, Woman on the Run is something of a little seen film noir offering. Basically a man hunt in essence, picture boasts strong atmosphere around the San Francisco locations and a last 15 minutes of noir excellence. In the narrative is a failing relationship that gets expanded upon as the story moves forward, and of course there's a twist, which thankfully is a genuine surprise. It's also very well performed, especially by the excellent Sheridan. The problem is that for the first hour it is exposition heavy, while the musical score is often too chirpy, a hindrance to the visual atmospherics. However, once we reach the last quarter and the story unfolds at an amusement park (Pacific Ocean Park), the picture hits its stride. Here is where the shadowy photography takes on a sinister edge, the action seemingly in a drug induced state. It's a terrific finale that lifts the film from being ordinary into must see status for the film noir faithful. 7/10

  • CinemaSerf

    7
    By CinemaSerf
    This is a rather superior little crime feature with a good, workmanlike cast delivering quite a suspenseful story without any fuss. "Frank Johnson" witnesses a gangland murder and goes into hiding. Soon enough the police - Robert Keith; his rather disgruntled wife - Ann Sheridan - and her newspaper pal Dennis O'Keefe are all trying to track him down; one because they think he might know more and be in danger from retaliation; the others because they think he might be absconding from an dodgy marriage. It's got quite a few entertaining twists and turns - and you just know that one of them isn't going to be who they claim to be; a secret that holds reasonably fast until quite near the end. It's got some nice looking cinematography - San Francisco looks good, as do the cast and the script is taut and keeps the whole thing moving along apace.

Recommended Movies

keyboard_arrow_up