A Cry in the Night (film)
| A Cry in the night | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Frank Tuttle |
| Produced by |
George C. Bertholon Alan Ladd |
| Screenplay by | David Dortort |
| Based on |
the novel All Through the Nigh by Whit Masterson |
| Starring |
Edmond O'Brien Brian Donlevy Natalie Wood Raymond Burr |
| Narrated by | Alan Ladd |
| Music by | David Buttolph |
| Cinematography | John F. Seitz |
| Edited by | Folmar Blangsted |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Cry in the Night is a 1956 dramatic thriller film starring Edmond O'Brien, Natalie Wood and Raymond Burr.[1]
Plot
Eighteen-year-old Liz Taggart has gone to a lovers' lane with her boyfriend, Owen Clark, who has not yet been introduced to her parents. Unbeknownst to them, a psychopath named Harold Loftus has been watching them. Loftus knocks Owen unconscious and overpowers Liz, taking her to a shack.
A couple on a motorcycle try to revive Owen with liquor, but leave when he doesn't wake up. Police arrive and mistakenly conclude that Owen is drunk. At the station, night-shift captain Ed Bates hears the story and realizes that Liz is the daughter of the day-shift captain, Dan Taggart.
While holding Liz prisoner, Loftus tries to force himself on her. Loftus' mother, Mabel, phones police when her son does not return home. Liz manages to get hold of Loftus' gun, but finds it's not loaded.
Taggart is furious with Owen, blaming him for what has happened, but his wife scolds Taggart for intimidating their daughter to the point that she kept her relationship secret. When the police officers find the shack, Owen saves Taggart's life by leaping on Loftus at the last second. Taggart begins beating Loftus, who cries out for his mother.
After Loftus is taken into custody, Taggart invites Owen to accompany Liz back home.
Cast
- Natalie Wood as Liz Taggart
- Edmond O'Brien as Capt. Dan Taggart
- Raymond Burr as Harold Loftus
- Brian Donlevy as Capt. Ed Bates
- Richard Anderson as Owen Clark
Production
The film was made for Alan Ladd's production company, Jaguar, despite Ladd not appearing in the cast.[2]
During the making of the film, Natalie Wood had a relationship with Raymond Burr, despite Burr being gay.[3]
References
- ↑ A Cry in the night at the Internet Movie Database.
- ↑ TV Story Bought For Metro Movie: Gelman Dramatization From Montgomery Show Is Titled 'Return of Johnny Burro' By Thomas M. Pryor Special to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 13 Oct 1955: 35.
- ↑ Kalat, David, A Cry in the Night, Turner Classic Movies: accessed July 14, 2012