Featuring Joan_Crawford at her grande dame victim-turned-avenger best, Sudden Fear (1952) pits Crawford's playwright/heiress Myra against fortune-hunting husband Lester and his equally greedy girlfriend Irene. Featuring gaunt yet imposing newcomer Jack_Palance as Myra's scheming spouse, Lester is already a quietly threatening presence even before Myra accidentally discovers his plans and her tony San Francisco house becomes enshrouded in cinematographer Charles_Lang_Jr.'s film noir shadows. Crawford's Myra may momentarily wilt with grief and terror over Lester's treachery, but she plans her revenge with a force that more than matches rival Gloria_Grahame's venal brassiness. Letting Crawford play it both ways while upping the suspense, director David_Miller shows Myra systematically enacting her lethal plot in her mind before she attempts to execute the real thing and rediscovers her emotional conscience. Retreating to the titular sensation, Crawford still injects that terror with her formidable will during the climactic nocturnal chase through the slick streets. A triumphant hit for Crawford, Sudden Fear garnered Oscar nominations for Best Actress, Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Costumes; the sizzling Grahame was recognized by the Academy for her supporting turn in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) instead. Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

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