Possessed (1947)

Director:

Curtis Bernhardt

Writers:

Silvia Richards (screenplay) and
Ranald MacDougall (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

26 July 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Plot:

A dazed woman walks the streets of Los Angeles looking for a man named David. After collapsing in a diner...

Plot Keywords:

Obsession | Murder | Flashback | Psychiatric Ward | Hospital

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Joan Crawford	...	Louise Howell
Van Heflin	...	David Sutton
Raymond Massey	...	Dean Graham
Geraldine Brooks	...	Carol Graham
Stanley Ridges	...	Dr. Willard
John Ridgely	...	Chief investigator of drowning
Moroni Olsen	...	Dr. Ames - Mrs. Smith's psychiatrist
Erskine Sanford	...	Dr. Sherman - Graham's physician at inquest
Peter Miles	...	Wynn Graham (as Gerald Perreau)
Jakob Gimpel	...	Walter Sveldon - pianist (as Jacob Gimpel)
Isabel Withers	...	Nurse Rosen
Lisa Golm	...	Elsie - Graham's maid in DC
Douglas Kennedy	...	District Attorney at inquest
Monte Blue	...	Norris - lake house caretaker
Don McGuire	...	Dr. Craig - Dr. Willard's asst.
Rory Mallinson	...	Coroner's assistant
Clifton Young	...	Intern
Griff Barnett	...	Coroner
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Bartell	...	Man in cafe (uncredited)
Brooks Benedict	...	Man in concert audience (uncredited)
Paul Bradley	...	Wedding guest (uncredited)
Nana Bryant	...	Pauline Graham (uncredited)
Wheaton Chambers	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Tristram Coffin	...	Tom - Man at concert (uncredited)
James Conaty	...	Jury foreman (uncredited)
Nell Craig	...	Dr. Ames' nurse (uncredited)
Bunty Cutler	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Sayre Dearing	...	Bar Patron (uncredited)
Ralph Dunn	...	Cable car motorman (uncredited)
Creighton Hale	...	Secretary at inquest (uncredited)
Jane Harker	...	First college girl (uncredited)
Eddie Hart	...	Tom - nightclub bartender (uncredited)
Peggy Leon	...	Wedding guest (uncredited)
Carl M. Leviness	...	Wedding Reception Guest (uncredited)
Robert Lowell	...	Face (uncredited)
Frank Marlowe	...	Cafe proprietor (uncredited)
Philo McCullough	...	Butler (uncredited)
Martha Montgomery	...	Second college girl (uncredited)
Jack Mower	...	Man (uncredited)
William H. O'Brien	...	Nightclub bartender (uncredited)
Sarah Padden	...	Mrs. Norris - caretaker's wife (uncredited)
Rose Plumer	...	Woman in cafe (uncredited)
Alexander Pollard	...	Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)
Suzanne Ridgeway	...	Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre	...	Man at Concert / Wedding Guest / Bar Patron (uncredited)
Henry Sylvester	...	Dean's secretary (uncredited)
Max Wagner	...	Man in cafe (uncredited)
Richard Walsh	...	Face (uncredited)
Eric Wilton	...	Wedding Reception Guest / Man at Concert (uncredited)

Directed by
Curtis Bernhardt

Writing credits
Silvia Richards		(screenplay) and
Ranald MacDougall		(screenplay)
Rita Weiman		(story)

Produced by
Jerry Wald	....	producer
Jack L. Warner	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Franz Waxman

Cinematography by
Joseph A. Valentine		(director of photography) (as Joseph Valentine)
Sidney Hickox		(uncredited)

Film Editing by
Rudi Fehr

Art Direction by
Anton Grot

Set Decoration by
Fred M. MacLean

Makeup Department
Perc Westmore	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Louis Baum	....	unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Sherry Shourds	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Robert B. Lee	....	sound

Special Effects by
Robert Burks	....	special effects
William C. McGann	....	special effects director (as William McGann)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Adrian	....	wardrobe: Miss Crawford
Bernard Newman	....	wardrobe

Music Department
Leo F. Forbstein	....	musical director
Leonid Raab	....	orchestral arranger

Other crew
Herschel Daugherty	....	dialogue director
Dr. George Thompson	....	technical advisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros. Pictures (as Warner Bros.-First National Pictures)

Distributors

• Warner Bros. Pictures (1947) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1950) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Sonovox  talking sound

Also Known As:

The Secret (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) (1947) | UK:PG (video rating) (1994) | West Germany:18 | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #11828, Adult Audience)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Bette Davis was originally offered the role of Louise, but turned it down to go on maternity leave.

Goofs:

Factual errors: David is talking about mathematics to Louise, shows her a drawing of a parabola, and then claims that the Army wasn't interested in it. This statement is incorrect; parabolas describe the trajectory of artillery shells and the military relies heavily upon them to properly aim artillery.

Quotes:

Carol Graham: How many have you had?
David Sutton: Oooh... easily!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Possessed: The Quintessential Film Noir (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Carnaval, Opus 9

Muddled, yet entertaining (if slightly unbelievable) drama

Another coup for Joan Crawford, 1947's Possessed (Joan co-starred with Clark Gable in a 1938 film of the same name), sees the star in a great vehicle in which to show off her many dramatic talents.

The hospital scenes are a bit over the top, and Stanley Ridges plays the psychiatric doctor a bit too eagerly. I half expected him to start wringing his hands with an Igor-type `yes, master – I think it's working, master' look on his face every time one of the drugs he gave Joan Crawford began taking effect. Ridges' performance is earnest, but his approach made me giggle more than once.

What's good about the film is its insight into issues regarding mental illness and its compassionate, non-exploitative exploration of the subject matter. This is accomplished in spite of Ridges' misguided portrayal of Dr. Willard, and due in large part to Crawford's brave, unglamorous portrayal of patient Louise Graham.

On the whole, Possessed is a very entertaining film that left me wanting to know what would happen next.

I think the death of Dean Graham's first wife is rushed and a bit muddled. Her character should have been actually introduced (even in one brief scene) rather than merely heard or talked about in flashback. Instead, there is just a big jump right into the marriage of Dean and Louise. This lack of transition really annoys me, although I can't exactly pinpoint why – I guess the whole thing just feels rushed.

Conveniently appearing and re-appearing on the scene is architect David Sutton, always around to throw Louise into a tizzy, as she cannot seem to get over the fact that he has broken off their relationship. It's difficult to understand David's appeal, as his character is extremely smarmy and smug, and he has no socially redeeming values whatsoever. To illustrate this, he shows up un-invited to Dean and Louise's wedding reception for the free food and drink. Ultimately, Dean's daughter Carol falls for him. Why, ladies??

If one can get past this implausible plot thread and take the story at face value, this is when the film really takes off, and Crawford's neurosis/psychosis picks up speed. The film improves greatly from here, and the plot advances nicely.

CAST/PERFORMANCES: Joan Crawford (Louise Howell Graham) – Crawford's transformation from personally neurotic, yet mild, unobtrusive caregiver to scheming, paranoid, jealous, unstable woman scorned is fairly believable, given the plot. I adore her voice, and the circumstances of the script, her role, and therefore her dialog really allow Crawford to express herself well, and she is a treat to hear as well as watch, as usual.

Raymond Massey (Dean Graham) – Massey is such a natural actor that I always adore his performances, and here is just wonderful. I love the scene where he dances with Crawford – watch as he forgets himself and sticks his tongue partway out with the effort of the dance. That, his quoting Bugs Bunny and his very tender, heartfelt scenes with Joan (his Dean Graham character is so sweet and patient) are a standout. I think it was a good casting choice to go with Massey, as his self-effacing nature is perfect for this role.

Van Heflin (David Sutton) – Despite the character's flaws (a very difficult role to play), in the actor's capable hands, it is done well. In his inimitable style and voice inflection, Heflin has the best line in the film, which he delivers offhandedly while pacing the floor: `I'm sorry, Louise – I seldom hit a woman, but if you don't leave me alone, I'll wind up kicking babies.'

Geraldine Brooks (Carol Graham) – a lovely actress, who I am sure I've seen in other films, as her name sounds familiar. She‘s very good as Carol, and gives a lively and strong performance as Massey's daughter. Her reaction to her mom's death and to Crawford's motives for marrying her father are very believable.

A good cast, interesting plot, and decent execution make for a fine film noir.