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No Escape
No Escape
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Charles Bennett
Screenplay by	Charles Bennett
Produced by	Matt Freed; Hugh Mackenzie
Starring	Lew Ayres; Sonny Tufts; Marjorie Steele
Cinematography	Benjamin H. Kline
Edited by	Roy V. Livingston
Music by	Bert Shefter
Production; company	Matthugh Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	July 31, 1953 (United States);
Running time	76 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$176,000

No Escape is a 1953 American film noir crime film directed by Charles Bennett starring Lew Ayres, Sonny Tufts and Marjorie Steele.^[2]^[3]

Bennett called the film "dreadful! I had a ten day shooting schedule."^[1]

Plot

The action is set in San Francisco where the film opens in a documentary style. When evidence and circumstance in a murder case points to a young woman as the main suspect, both her boyfriend (a police detective) and a struggling songwriter who plays piano in a bar, decide to withhold evidence from the police. Both of them ostensibly act to protect the woman, who believes that she accidentally killed the victim after an attempted sexual assault.

Later, the girl, knowing that the songwriter did not commit the murder, helps him to escape from a police dragnet when he becomes the main suspect. She and the songwriter fall in love and eventually compare notes about the events surrounding the murder, leading them to realize that someone else must be the culprit. The boyfriend is revealed as the actual murderer, and is arrested after he attempts to kill them to hide his guilt.

Cast

Lew Ayres as John Howard Tracy
Sonny Tufts as Det. Simon Shayne
Marjorie Steele as Pat Peterson
Lewis Martin as Lt. Bruce Gunning
Gertrude Michael as Olga Valerie Lewis
Charles Cane as Wilbur K. Grossett
Renny McEvoy as Turnip
Bobby Watson as Claude Duffy (as Robert Watson)
James Griffith as Peter Hayden
Robert Bailey as Detective Bob
Robert Carson as Dr. Seymour

Production

The film was based on an original story by Charles Bennett. It was to be the first production from Associated Film Artists, a company formed in 1948 by publicist Whitney Bolton, actor Louis Hayward and director Edgar G. Ulmer.^[4]

In December 1949 it was announced Freddie Bisson of Independent Artists would make the film, and was hoping to star Dana Andrews and Robert Cummings.^[5]

The film was eventually made by Mattugh Productions, produced by Hugh McKenzie and Mat Freed. It was picked up for release by United Artists.^[6]

The film was going to star Louis Hayward but he dropped out when filming shifted to Los Angeles. Shooting started in January 1953.^[7]^[8]

Reception

Critical response

TV Guide gave the film a lukewarm review. The editors wrote, "The plot seems suspenseful but the lackluster direction has no feel for thriller pacing. Things move too slowly with overwritten dialog mouthed in only average performances by the ensemble. However, the music captures the film's potential mood nicely. It's a pity the film does not live up to the score."^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b Schwartzman, Arnold (3 March 1992). "Interview with Charles Bennett". British Entertainment History Project.
^ No Escape at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
^ NO ESCAPE Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 20, Iss. 228, (Jan 1, 1953): 108.
^ METRO WILL FILM NEW SLATER NOVEL: Studio Buys the Screen Rights to 'Conspirator' for $40,000 -- Story of Russian Spy By THOMAS F. BRADYS New York Times 27 Apr 1948: 29.
^ McGraw 'Code 3' Star; Robbins Signs at MGM; Brisson Slates Picture Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 23 Dec 1949: 11.
^ Of Local Origin New York Times 18 Apr 1953: 17.
^ 'Slapstick' Will Tell Big Comedy Saga; Tufts Builds British Career Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 12 Jan 1953: B9.
^ Rita Hayworth to Enact Magdalen; Hayward Will Do 'Saint;' Nolan Pilot Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 21 Jan 1953: B9.
^ TV Guide. Editors, film review. Accessed: July 18, 2013.