We just discovered a gem of a film with a truly compelling performance by the oft-underrated Ann Sheridan.
Woman on the Run (1950) is a low-budget but engrossing tale. It’s also an unconventional film noir.
In a typical noir story, a male protagonist is trapped in dangerous circumstances, unable to ask police for help. Adding to his predicament is a menacing hoodlum and a treacherous femme fatale.
But in Woman on the Run, the protagonist is an ordinary woman, trapped in a marriage she no longer recognizes.
Woman on the Run, based on a short story published in 1948 by Sylvia Tate, is essentially a race between police, a killer and Sheridan herself to find her husband. Ross Elliott plays the husband, a man who has the rotten luck of witnessing a murder – then decides to disappear.
When police locate Sheridan to inquire about Elliott, we see a woman with a prickly shell of indifference. Her husband is missing? She shrugs her shoulders: “If he wants to run away, that’s his business.” She seems to know very little about her husband, which the police inspector (Robert Keith) interprets as a reluctance to talk.
Keith: “Please answer the questions. That is, if it doesn’t hurt.”
Sheridan: “Why should it hurt me? It’s all past and done with. If you want to snoop into the remains of our marriage, that’s up to you.”
But when Keith mentions her husband was shot at by the murderer, Sheridan is genuinely shocked. However, she quickly squashes this concern and shrinks back into her What-Do-I-Care demeanor.
Sheridan convincingly alternates between callousness and compassion. When Keith tells her, “I think [your husband] is running away from you,” she orders him, with real anger, to get out. Then, in the next moment, she slips into apathy as easily as one might slip into a sweater.
Yet, when she meets a reporter (Dennis O’Keefe) casting about for a lucrative story, she begins to relax and becomes a different person. She reminisces about the early days with her husband, and we realize she’s still in love with him.
This, then, is the real mystery: What happened between these two people? How did Sheridan’s character become so hurt and bewildered that she labours at being aloof?
If Sheridan’s marriage were to be a landscape, it would be a murky, chilly swamp, filled with shadows that distort motives.
You could say it’s marriage as film noir.
We get a glimpse of what Sheridan’s inner world might look like when she goes to an amusement park at night to search for her husband.
It’s one of the best scenes in the film. It’s dark and creepy at the fun park and, while we watch a frantic Sheridan, we hear the thunderous wheels of a roller coaster and the passengers’ screams above her. In other films, a roller coaster is a place of excitement and romance, like the early days of marriage. But not here. The roller coaster trestles loom above her, patrons’ screams mock her. It’s a picture of fear and failure. Welcome to her life.
Sheridan was 35 when Woman on the Run was released. She was enjoying a comeback in the early 1950s, but her film career would not survive the decade. The tragedy is Ann Sheridan had real talent, as this absorbing film proves.
Exciting News
Our friends at Flicker Alley, in conjunction with the Film Noir Foundation and UCLA Film and Television Archive, are releasing two gorgeous films noir on Blu-ray and DVD. Click on the links below for details.
Woman on the Run: starring Ann Sheridan, Dennis O’Keefe, Robert Keith. Directed by Norman Foster. Written by Alan Campbell & Norman Foster. Fidelity Pictures, Inc., 1950, B&W, 77 mins.
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This sounds really good, Ruth! I really enjoy mysteries, and this sounds like it would keep you on the edge of your seat. The part that takes place in the amusement park sounds very intense. I love how you describe Sheridan’s emotions that seem to go back and forth instantly. I hope to see this one soon!
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Ann Sheridan is really good in this one. She is utterly convincing the way she switches from hardened apathy to genuine love. Really, she alone is worth the price of admission.
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This sounds truly wonderful. I love noir so much. Ann Sheridan truly was one gem of an actress. It’s wonderful have show such range. I so need watch this gem
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Yes, if you’re an Ann Sheridan fan, you must see this! She is fantastic.
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This sounds fantastic. I’m a noir fan, too, have been since my parents sat me down and had me watch The Maltese Falcon with them. Good times…now, for the popcorn! Thanks! 🙂
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This one is worth tracking down. It’s interesting to watch a noir done from an ordinary woman’s point of view. Ann Sheridan is ultra fab in this role.
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I am thrilled about the remastered versions of this excellent film. The DVD copy I have is a real mess, but it was a real find in a bargain bin for $2 (Anne Sheridan and Dennis O’Keefe were the draw). Thus, the screencaps on a post I did on this movie last year are grainy and dismal. I’ve been sitting here staring with awe at the wonderful shots you provided along with your excellent review. I know you will get many more people interested in “Woman on the Run”.
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I’m going to visit your review and see your thoughts on the film – you always make me think. 🙂
Yes, lots of amazing photos available now that the film has been restored. I have an inexpensive copy, too, but now I’ll have to buy the Flicker Alley Blu-ray!
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You’re very kind.
It was a great pleasure to read your article. Sharing thoughts of these movies is a great joy.
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It’s great this thriller has got a blu Ray release. A great part for Ann Sheridan. Have you seen her in The Unfaithful. another favorite of mine.
Robert Keith is also very good as the cop.
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Yeah, I really like Robert Keith as the police inspector. That character could have starred in his own film – or series of films.
Thanks for the heads up re: The Unfaithful. Will watch for it.
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How very, very intriguing! I’ve always liked Ann Sheridan as an actress, but have only seen her in more humorous roles. The idea of “marriage as film noir” and that the protagonist is a woman sounds quite unique.
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Yes, I’ve been kicking myself that I hadn’t seen this film sooner, and I own it! Ann Sheridan is so good in this film. Really, you have to see this.
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I love your reviews. They make me want to see every film you mention. This one looks particularly intriguing, I must admit. 😉
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Ann Sheridan is ultra fab in this. I gained a whole new respect for her.
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I love Ann Sheridan. There was something so down to earth about her. A shame she got tagged as a “sweater girl” in the 40’s. I saw this on Amazon Prime. I will be interested in catching the new release. Am hoping for a commentary by Eddie Muller!
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Yes, apparently Sheridan HATED her moniker the “Oomph Girl “, and you can’t blame her.
Now, Eddie Muller probably has lots of interesting things to say about this film.
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I own this one in a Mill Creek multipack but the print is pretty rough — so glad to see it getting a proper, good quality release! I’ll have to order a copy!
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Yes, I agree! I have the same Mill Creek set, but need to upgrade to the Flicker Alley Blu-ray.
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I came across this while casting about for film noir blog entries. Very interesting movie, and one I should try to find.
If you are interested in doing more film noir entries I just announced a Film Noir Blogathon on my blog.
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No way! Excellent! Will check it out tomorrow. Thanks for the invite. 🙂
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