Star of the Month: Barbara Stanwyck.

Double Indemnity(1944). Is a film noir, directed by Billy Wilder, co-written by Wilder and Raymond Chandler, and produced by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom. The script was based on James M. Cain's 1943 novella.

The film stars Fred Mac Murray as an insurance salesman, Barbara Stanwyck as a sexy housewife who plan the death of her husband. Edward G. Robinson, plays the claims adjuster whose job it is to find phony claims.

The term double indemnity is when life insurance policies doubles the payout in cases in accidental deaths.

The film, Double Indemnity was nominated for seven Academy Awards but did not win any. Many believe this was the film noir that set the standard for the films that followed in that genre.

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The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers(1946). Is a film noir starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott and Kirk Douglas in his film debut.

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Sorry, Wrong Number(1948). A film noir directed by Anatole Litvak. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards, Wendell Corey, Ed Begley, Leif Erickson and William Conrad.

The story begins when, Leona Stevenson, a bedridden daughter of a millionaire, is listening to two men planning a woman's murder over the phone. Leona calls the phone company and police, to report what she over heard, only to be ignored. To make matter worse.. Leona's husband Henry is missing. Leona, begins to piece together the puzzle. Her husband, who works for her father, turns out to be who she first thought he was and Leona, soon realizes she is the woman that she heard the two men talking about.

The movie is shot with many flashbacks through out the film. Stanwyck's, bedroom window overlooks the beautiful night skyline of Manhattan, with looming shadows and circling camera shots used to keep you at the edge of your seat.

 

Clash By Night(1952). A drama with some film noir twists, directed by Fritz Lang. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan, Marilyn Monroe and Keith Andes. This was the first film in which Monroe was credited before the movie's title. During the shooting, the now famous nude calendar photos of Monroe surfaced and reporters swarmed around the actress, causing problems for the film makers.

 

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Jeopardy(1953). A suspense film directed by John Sturges. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck and Barry Sullivan as a married couple and Ralph Meeker as an escaped killer. The film was based on a 22-minute radio play, "A Question of Time."

The Stilwins, vacationing in Baja California, looking for a deserted fishing spot. Are stopped by roadside barricade where they are inspected by police, but... are not told about the killer who has escaped from prison and is in the area.

Once there, young Bobby goes walking along the pier. Soon he begins having trouble getting back and when his Dad comes to his rescue, the pier gives way. Trapping the Dad's leg, just as the tide is coming in.

The Stilwins, are now worried that if Dad isn't freed within a few hours, he will drown in the rising surf. They can not move the log and wife Helen takes the car to get help. The escaped criminal kidnaps her. Can she get back to her husband before he drowns?

 

Witness To Murder(1954). Is a suspense film starring Barbara Stanwyck. The theme is a little like another movie released that year, Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, it was filmed to compete with the film Hitchcock was preparing at Paramount.

Witness to Murder was released on April 15, 1954, and received moderately positive reviews. Rear Window, which opened less than a month later and earned Oscar nominations for director, screenplay (by John Michael Hayes) and cinematography (by Robert Burks).

 
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