| Possessed | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Curtis Bernhardt |
| Produced by | Jerry Wald |
| Written by | Ranald MacDougall, Lawrence Menkin, Silvia Richards, Rita Weiman (story) |
| Starring | Joan Crawford Van Heflin Raymond Massey Geraldine Brooks Stanley Ridges |
| Music by | Franz Waxman |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | July 26, 1947 (US premiere) |
| Running time | 108 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Possessed is a 1947 film noir which tells the story of a woman who walks the streets of Los Angeles, calling for a man named "David". Taken to a mental hospital, the story of her obsession for the man named David is told in flashbacks. It stars Joan Crawford, Van Heflin, Raymond Massey and Geraldine Brooks. Crawford played the role of a nurse for a very rich family who was also secretly in love with a confirmed bachelor in the family. Joan Crawford spent time visiting mental wards and talking to psychiatrists to prepare for her role, and she said she thought the part was the most difficult one she ever played. The movie was written by Ranald MacDougall, Lawrence Menkin, Silvia Richards, and Rita Weiman. It was directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Possessed had been tailor-made for Bette Davis and would have been her next project after Deception (1946). However, she was pregnant and went on maternity leave. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress (Joan Crawford).
Reaction
Film Noir: An Encyclopedic Reference to the American Style notes that director Bernhardt also used psychological themes to good effect in the films Conflict and High Wall. "By developing the plot from the point-of-view of a neurotic and skillfully using flashback and fantasy scenes in a straightforward manner, the distinction between reality and Louise's imagination is blurred. That makes The Possessed a prime example of oneirism, the dreamlike tone that is a seminal characteristic of film noir." [1]
Featured cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Joan Crawford | Louise Howell Graham |
| Van Heflin | David Sutton |
| Raymond Massey | Dean Graham |
| Geraldine Brooks | Carol Graham |
| Stanley Ridges | Dr. Harvey Williard |
| John Ridgely | Lt. Harker |
References
- ^ Alain Silver and Elizabeth Ward (1992). Film Noir An Encyclopedic Reference to the American Style. The Overlook Press. ISBN 0-87951-479-5.
