Stella is a 1950 American black comedy film directed by Claude Binyon and starring Ann Sheridan, Victor Mature and Leif Erickson.
| Stella | |
|---|---|
 Ann Sheridan and David Wayne in Stella | |
| Directed by | Claude Binyon |
| Written by | Claude Binyon |
| Based on | Family Skeleton by Doris Miles Disney |
| Produced by | Sol C. Siegel |
| Starring | Ann Sheridan Victor Mature David Wayne Randy Stuart Marion Marshall Frank Fontaine Leif Erickson Evelyn Varden Lea Penman Joyce MacKenzie Hobart Cavanaugh |
| Cinematography | Joseph MacDonald |
| Edited by | Harmon Jones |
| Music by | Cyril J. Mockridge |
| Color process | Black and white |
Production company | 20th Century Fox |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
In the film, the family of an accident victim decide to bury the corpse in secret. They want to avoid suspicions of murder.
Plot
editWhen a relative dies in an accident, family members worry that they will be suspected of murder, so they bury the body, but that does not solve anything.
Cast
edit- Ann Sheridan as Stella Bevans
- Victor Mature as Jeff DeMarco
- Leif Erickson as Fred Anderson Jr.
- David Wayne as Carl Granger
- Randy Stuart as Claire
- Marion Marshall as Mary
- Frank Fontaine as Don
- Evelyn Varden as Flora
- Lea Penman as Mrs. Calhoun
- Joyce MacKenzie as Peggy Denny
- Hobart Cavanaugh as Tim Gross
Production
editThe novel Family Skeleton by Doris Miles Disney was published in 1949. The New York Times described the book as "half humorous... not a mystery, hardly even a murder novel, and certainly not the light farce suggested by the publisher's grinning skull symbol."[1] Hero Jeff di Marco later appeared in Disney's Straw Man in 1951.[2]
The film was known as Stella and the City Man.[3] Susan Hayward was meant to play the title role but refused and was put on suspension. Ann Sheridan replaced her. Filming started in March 1950.[4]
Stella was Hobart Cavanaugh's last film; he knew he did not have long to live and collapsed twice on set, but was determined to see it through.[5]
Critical reception
editThe New York Times wrote "With a good cast, including David Wayne and Ann Sheridan; dialogue which is generally bright and often quite satirical, Mr. Binyon has put together a surprisingly funny show."[6]
The film was a box office disappointment.[7]
References
edit- ^ A. B. (May 1949). "Killing of Uncle Joe: FAMILY SKELETON Doris Miles Disney. 188 pp. New York: Doubleday-Crime Club. $2.25". p. BR29.
- ^ ANTHONY BOUCHER (October 21, 1951). "Criminals at Large". New York Times. p. 195.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (March 1, 1950). "PARAMOUNT GETS OPTION ON NOVEL: TO ENACT TITLE ROLE". New York Times. p. 42.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (March 13, 1950). "HAWKS, LASKER BUY RIGHTS TO 'BIG SKY': Producing Firm Acquires A. B. Guthrie Novel for Filming in the Late Summer Ross Acquires "Rendezvous"". New York Times. p. 15.
- ^ "Jimmy Fidler in Hollywood". Valley Morning Star. May 5, 1950 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; 'Stella,' With Ann Sheridan and David Wayne, New Feature at the Roxy Theatre". The New York Times. August 19, 1950.
- ^ "End of stars and system era". Variety. January 3, 1951. p. 59.
External links
edit
- Stella at IMDb
- Stella at the TCM Movie Database
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