SUDDENLY - 1954

Edwin · #**101** 03-25-2010, 05:37 PM

"Suddenly" returns to Turner Classic Movies Friday at 6:30 PM. Brilliant performance by Sinatra as a psycopathic would-be presidential assassin. It's one of a group of three Sterling Hayden movies: "Asphalt Jungle" at 2:30 and "Johnny Guitar" at 4:30.

I wish "Suddenly" was on at 8 PM instead because I enjoy Robert Osborne's commentary before and after the TCM movies which begin with the 8 O'Clock show. In any event, if you have not seen this movie, jump on it. It was his first movie following "From Here to Eternity" and established that his Oscar win was no fluke.

lorenzotedesco · #**102** 03-26-2010, 05:41 AM

Whoopee! Thanks for the heads up Edwin. The only copies I have seen of this film in recent years have been very poor quality VHS and DVD prints due I suppose to the film having entered the public domain at some point. Gotta go now and set my recorder.

Larry

johnofphilly · #**103** 03-26-2010, 11:35 AM

Quite a film. Interesting twist at the end. A principle of surprise that crops up in life from time to time.

Josh · #**104** 03-26-2010, 12:46 PM

One of Frank's best films, amazing in the role and a great plot. One of my faves

Edwin · #**105** 05-07-2010, 06:21 AM

Bumped to mention that there is no better acting performance by Frank than in this movie. Was his next movie after "From Here to Eternity' and he played a character totall unlike any he had played before or has played since.

SinatraFan · #**106** 09-24-2010, 06:02 AM

Anniversary bump: September 24, 1954

janne-sakari · #**107** 09-29-2010, 01:10 PM

Sadly I´ve seen this film only once but I remember that I was quite taken how impressive Frank Sinatra was as a bad guy...his only bad guy role,right??

I´ve been trying to find the best version on DVD of this film but there are surprisingly many floating around with cheap looking covers and such so I´m still don`t have it on my"Sinatra collections".
So any ideas of which version I should pick up??

Carolinagirl · #**108** 11-01-2010, 07:35 PM

I had a little while to rest before yoga, when I tuned in to AMC and had the chance to see SUDDENLY starring Frank Sinatra. It was a little gem and a perfect surprise for me. He created a sad intriguing character. I enjoyed it. Then went to yoga on time.

stargazer · #**109** 11-01-2010, 08:28 PM

I am looking out for this on dvd too. I've only seen it once, a good few years back when it was on tv. Back then if i came across a black and white movie i would just switch off (wasn't I narrow minded!) Anyhow, I recognised FS and decided to watch it for 10 minutes and ended up watching the whole thing!
I was enthralled and I've been waiting for it to show on tv again but I haven't stumbled across it yet. Frank was fantastic as a bad guy, so menacing!

Mel in LA · #**110** 05-29-2011, 10:23 PM

Here is an interesting link about where the movie was filmed. Newhall California about 30 miles north of LA. Interesting to see what
is still there what is now gone and what was never there..
Dear Old Hollywood: Suddenly (1954) - Film Locations

Dina · #**111** 10-05-2011, 04:26 PM

I watched my DVD of Suddenly again this past weekend. It was really a brilliant choice by FS for his follow-up to From Here to Eternity. I would bet that it was equally responsible for establishing his reputation as a skilled dramatic actor and making people realize he was so much more than a "song and dance man". He gave such an intense, mesmerizing performance, playing against type as the bad guy. I certainly can't keep my eyes off him whenever he's on screen.

ARIES3032 · #**112** 10-07-2011, 08:55 AM

I cannot tell you how any times I have seen this great movie, the first at the movies.

sschweiger · #**113** 10-08-2011, 10:17 AM

Lewis Allen, the director, got such a terrific performance from Frank, I thought he'd had a long & successful career. Unfortunately, for film fans, his output was very small. But if you're able to get a copy of Allen's '44 classic, "The Uninvited," with Ray Milland, you'll love it!

Bob in Boston · #**114** 10-08-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschweiger

Lewis Allen, the director, got such a terrific performance from Frank, I thought he'd had a long & successful career. Unfortunately, for film fans, his output was very small.

He moved into television directing in the latter 1950s and onward: "Perry Mason," "The Rifleman," "Bonanza," "The F.B.I.," "Mission Impossible," etc.

Bob in Boston

sschweiger · #**115** 10-23-2011, 07:35 AM

All the while that "Suddenly" has been the main movie thread, something's been buggin' me, and I finally put 2&2 together last night, while watching the Rangers get throttled by the Cards!

Nancy Gates, who was born in Dallas, gives a nice supporting performance in "Suddenlly," and also gives a nice supporting performance as Frank's secretary in "Some Came Running!" I'm nowhere near as swift as I was in my "Jeopardy" days, but I can still kid myself and feel as though I "haven't lost it!" Now, ask me what I had for breakfast!

Greggie · #**116** 12-01-2011, 08:11 AM

I have no idea how many times I have seen SUDDENLY. I got the urge once again to watch Frank in this movie, last night. I never tire of it, and every time I see it, I feel like it is the first time. He is so wonderful in this movie and just so amazing. But then again, I do say this about almost all his movies. What a man!!!!

The Unvoice · #**117** 04-23-2012, 03:41 AM

This is a GREAT little film. A super tight and well made potboiler. Everything you want in a film noir/B-picture. I loved every second of it, but the real reason the movie is so dang good, it's because Sinatra is amazing in this. Possibly his best performance of his career. Sinatra is so intense and scary that I was actually scared. I caught this at a film noir double feature screening at the legendary Egyptian theater in Hollywood over the weekend, to a packed house. It was projected digitally, and there was some big issues concerning the film being projected from a laptop! And there was rendering issues, some of the scenes, many of the scenes were distorted, but none of that distracted from both Frank's amazing performance and the film being fantastic.

Mr. White · #**118** 04-23-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Possibly his best performance of his career.

I don't know if I'd consider it his best, but he certainly proved that he could portray a convincing villain. That was definitely a smart acting choice on his part; stepping outside of his comfort zone and playing a bad guy.

As for the movie itself, I thought it was great also....only I didn't care a fig for the ending.

The Unvoice · #**119** 04-23-2012, 05:49 PM

Wow! That ending was amazing!
Has Sinatra ever played a bad guy twice? I can only think of this one.

Gregory · #**120** 04-23-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Unvoice

Wow! That ending was amazing!
Has Sinatra ever played a bad guy twice? I can only think of this one.

He played complicated characters in Man with the Golden Arm, Van Ryan's Epress and Mancherian Candidate! To name a few. Frank was the mark of a great actor.