Breakdown (1952 film)

Breakdown
Breakdown
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Edmond Angelo
Written by	Robert Abel
Based on	the play The Samson Slasher by Robert Abel
Produced by	Edmond Angelo
Starring	Ann Richards
Cinematography	Paul Ivano
Edited by	Robert M. Leeds
Music by	Paul Dunlap
Production; company	Pegasus Productions
Distributed by	Realart Pictures Inc.
Release date	July 16, 1952 (United States);
Running time	76 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Breakdown is a 1952 American crime film noir starring Ann Richards. It was her last film 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[]

Ann Richards as June Hannum
William Bishop as Terry Williams
Anne Gwynne as Candy Allen
Sheldon Leonard as Nick Samson
Wally Cassell as Pete Samson
Richard Benedict as Punchy
Joe McTurk as Longshot McGinnis
John Vosper as Judge Sam Hannum
Roy Engel as Al Bell
Norman Rainey as Doc
Hal Baylor as Joe Thompson
Elena Sirangelo as Mrs. Prescott
Gene Covelli as Gumbo, the newsboy
Michelle King as Girl in Audience
Al Cantor as Joe DeVito

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 1951, directed by Edmund Angelo.^[3]

Abel then wrote The Slasher and Angelo signed to direct. His wife Ann Richards played the female lead.^[4] It was Richards' first film in three years.^[5] It was then known as Decisions.^[6]

Filming started 1 December 1951 at Republic Studios. Filming went for eleven days.^[7]

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.^[8]

References[]

^ "BREAKDOWN". Monthly Film Bulletin. London. 20 (228): 8. 1 January 1953. ProQuest 1305819491.
^ T. M. (Dec 9, 1951). "HOLLYWOOD MEMOS". New York Times. ProQuest 111903138.
^ Schallert, E. (Jan 24, 1951). "Wordy, sordid back-stage play has strong scenes". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166175072.
^ Schallert, E. (Oct 2, 1951). "Drama 1-...". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166235151.
^ "Monte carlo ballet hits road to city". Los Angeles Times. Oct 4, 1951. ProQuest 166270204.
^ "Star gains more fame". Los Angeles Times. Nov 24, 1951. ProQuest 166224261.
^ 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.
^ Schallert, E. (Oct 9, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166245045.

External links[]

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[1] "BREAKDOWN". Monthly Film Bulletin. London. 20 (228): 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] Schallert, E. (Oct 2, 1951). "Drama 1-...". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166235151.

[5] "Monte carlo ballet hits road to city". Los Angeles Times. Oct 4, 1951. ProQuest 166270204.

[6] "Star gains more fame". Los Angeles Times. Nov 24, 1951. ProQuest 166224261.

[7] 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.

[8] Schallert, E. (Oct 9, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166245045.

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