Breakdown (1952 film)

Breakdown
Theatrical release poster
Directed byEdmond Angelo
Written byRobert Abel
Based onthe play The Samson Slasher by Robert Abel
Produced byEdmond Angelo
StarringAnn Richards
William Bishop
Anne Gwynne
CinematographyPaul Ivano
Edited byRobert M. Leeds
Music byPaul Dunlap
Production
company
Pegasus Productions
Distributed byRealart Pictures Inc.
Release date
  • July 16, 1952 (1952-07-16) (United States)
Running time
76 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Breakdown is a 1952 American crime film noir directed by Edmond Angelo starring Ann Richards, William Bishop and Anne Gwynne. It was the last film of Richards before she retired.[1]

The film was also known as Decision.

Plot

Framed for murder, heavyweight boxer Terry Williams (Bishop) is sent to prison, but is released after a few years on good behavior. He becomes a championship contender and then, on the eve of the big fight, finds the man who can prove that he was framed for the crime for which he served time.

Cast

Production

Pegasus Productions was a company headed by Max Gifford which announced they were going to make three films. One of these was The Slasher based on a play by Robert Abel. Abel had been a prize fighter for four years.[2] He had written a play The Big Shot which was produced on stage in Los Angeles in January 1951, directed by Edmund Angelo.[3][4]

Abel then wrote The Slasher and Angelo signed to direct. His wife Ann Richards played the female lead.[5] It was Richards' first film in three years.[6] She had retired to have children but came out of retirement to help her husband.[7] The film was then known as Decisions.[8]

Filming started 1 December 1951 at Republic Studios. Shooting went for eleven days.[9]

Pegagus' second production was to be You're Not So Dangerous and was to star Richards as a social worker confused for a gangster's moll.[10] However it appears to have not been made.

Reception

Variety called Breakdown a "so-so secondary action-meller of only spotty entertainment values."[11]

References

  1. ^ "BREAKDOWN". Monthly Film Bulletin. 20 (228). London: 8. 1 January 1953. ProQuest 1305819491.
  2. ^ T. M. (Dec 9, 1951). "HOLLYWOOD MEMOS". New York Times. ProQuest 111903138.
  3. ^ Schallert, E. (Jan 24, 1951). "Wordy, sordid back-stage play has strong scenes". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166175072.
  4. ^ Review of Mr Big Shot at Variety
  5. ^ Schallert, E. (Oct 2, 1951). "Drama 1-...". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166235151.
  6. ^ "Monte carlo ballet hits road to city". Los Angeles Times. Oct 4, 1951. ProQuest 166270204.
  7. ^ "An Australian star remembers". The Canberra Times. Vol. 51, no. 14, 817. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 July 1977. p. 23. Retrieved 23 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Star gains more fame". Los Angeles Times. Nov 24, 1951. ProQuest 166224261.
  9. ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (1 December 1951). "WARNERS AT WORK ON A NEW MUSICAL; Winston Miller Writing Script With Western Background for 'At the End of the Rainbow'". The New York Times. ProQuest 112105428.
  10. ^ Schallert, E. (Oct 9, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166245045.
  11. ^ "Breakdown". Variety. 16 July 1952. p. 6.


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