Possessed (1947 film)
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| Possessed | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Curtis Bernhardt |
| Produced by | Jerry Wald |
| Written by | Ranald MacDougall, Lawrence Menkin, Silvia Richards, Rita Weiman (story) |
| Starring | Joan Crawford Van Heflin Raymond Massey Geraldine Brooks Stanley Ridges |
| Music by | Franz Waxman |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | July 26, 1947 (US premiere) |
| Running time | 108 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Possessed is a 1947 film noir which tells the story of a woman who walks the streets of Los Angeles, calling for a man named "David". Taken to a mental hospital, the story of her obsession for the man named David is told in flashbacks. It stars Joan Crawford, Van Heflin, Raymond Massey and Geraldine Brooks. Ms. Crawford later spoke of her performance:
- "I think I worked harder on Possessed than on any other picture I ever made. Don't let anyone tell you it's easy to play a madwoman, particularly a psychotic. I used to think so, that you just pulled out all the stops and acted either manic or depressive and that was it. Both extremes have won, as you know, Oscars. But it's the wrong interpretation of psychosis, believe me, and I realized that just as we were ready to start production. So I pulled a few strings here and there so I could actually observe what went on in psycho wards up in Santa Barbara and at hospitals in Santa Monica and at UCLA. I talked to psychiatrists; one was even kind enough to read the script and tell me how accurately it depicted a psychotic woman (for the most part it was on the nose) and how he thought I should handle the different scenes. I think it came off well. It was a heavy, heavy picture, not very pleasant, and I was emotionally and physically exhausted when we finished shooting. I don't think I'd have the strength to accept anything like it again."
The movie was written by Ranald MacDougall, Lawrence Menkin, Silvia Richards, and Rita Weiman. It was directed by Curtis Bernhardt.
It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress (Joan Crawford).
[edit] Reaction
Film Noir: An Encyclopedic Reference to the American Style notes that diretor Bernhardt also used psychological themes to good effect in the films Conflict and High Wall. "By developing the plot from the point-of-view of a neurotic and skillfully using flashback and fantasy scenes in a straightforward manner, the distinction between reality and Louise's imagination is blurred. That makes The Possessed a prime example of oneirism, the dreamlike tone that is a seminal characteristic of film noir." [1]
[edit] Featured cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Joan Crawford | Louise Howell Graham |
| Van Heflin | David Sutton |
| Raymond Massey | Dean Graham |
| Geraldine Brooks | Carol Graham |
| Stanley Ridges | Dr. Harvey Williard |
| John Ridgely | Lt. Harker |
[edit] References
- ^ Alain Silver and Elizabeth Ward (1992). Film Noir An Encyclopedic Reference to the American Style. The Overlook Press. ISBN 0-87951-479-5.
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