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Fearful Decision
"Fearful Decision" is a 1954 episode of the TV series ''The United States Steel Hour'' starring Ralph Bellamy as David Durfee, the father, Sam Levene as McArdle, a crime reporter, Meg Mundy as Edith, Joey Fallon as son Davie and George Mitchell as the police chief. It was later adapted into the feature films ''Ransom!'' (1956) and ''Ransom'' (1996). Fearful Decision was co-authored by Richard Maibaum, an American film producer, playwright and screenwriter in the United States best known for his screenplay adaptations of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. Reception The ''New York Times'' praised Ralph Bellamy's "magnificent performance" but thought the story lacked "fundamental credibility." Produced by The Theatre Guild, the script and Ralph Bellamy's performance were both nominated for Emmys. In May 1955 it was announced MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, dis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The United States Steel Hour
''The United States Steel Hour'' is an anthology series which brought hour long dramas to television from 1953 to 1963. The television series and the radio program that preceded it were both sponsored by the U.S. Steel, United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel). ''Theatre Guild on the Air'' The series originated on radio in the 1940s as ''Theatre Guild on the Air''. Organized in 1919 to improve the quality of American theater, the Theatre Guild first experimented with radio productions in ''Theatre Guild Dramas'', a CBS series which ran from December 6, 1943, to February 29, 1944. Actress-playwright Armina Marshall (1895–1991), a co-administrator of the Theatre Guild, headed the Guild's newly created Radio Department, and in 1945, ''Theatre Guild on the Air'' embarked on its ambitious plan to bring Broadway theater to radio with leading actors in major productions. It premiered September 9, 1945, on ABC with Burgess Meredith, Henry Daniell and Cecil Humphreys in ''Wings Ov ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alex Segal
Alex Segal (July 1, 1915 – August 22, 1977) was an American television director, television producer, and film director. Segal directed more than 25 different television programs, including ''The United States Steel Hour'' and '' Celanese Theater'' (1951–52), between his debut as a director on '' Starring Boris Karloff'' (1949) and his death in 1977. Segal directed some films, including '' Joy in the Morning'' in 1965. He received several Emmy nominations for his directing in the 1950s and won a Primetime Emmy for his TV directorship of ''Death of a Salesman'' in 1966. Segal also served as chairman of the Division of Drama at the University of Southern California from 1971 to 1976. Filmography As director As producer *''Celanese Theatre'' (1951-1952; 15 episodes) *''Producers' Showcase ''Producers' Showcase'' is an American anthology television series that was telecast live during the 1950s in compatible color by NBC. With top talent, the 90-minute episodes, cover ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Richard Maibaum
Richard Maibaum (May 26, 1909 – January 4, 1991) was an American film producer, playwright and screenwriter best known for his screenplay adaptations of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. Among his works are the first anti-lynching play on Broadway, ''The Tree'' (1932); the first anti-Nazi play on Broadway, ''Birthright'' (1933); the first film that dealt with the problem of medication abuse, ''Bigger Than Life'', written in 1955, released in 1956; the first film that dealt with the ethical and moral decisions in kidnapping cases, ''Ransom!''; the first film that introduced the American public to the importance of training airmen for the defense of the United States in a war many recognized as coming, ''I Wanted Wings'' (Spring, 1941); and '' Diamonds Are Forever'', begun 1970, the first film that discussed the use of laser-like satellite mounted weapons for global warfare. His papers now reside at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. Biography Early career Maibaum was bor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cyril Hume
Cyril Hume (March 16, 1900 – March 26, 1966) was an American novelist and screenwriter. Hume was a graduate of Yale University, where he edited campus humor magazine ''The Yale Record''. He was an editor of the collection ''The Yale Record Book of Verse: 1872–1922'' (1922). One year out of college, Hume was a $25-a-week "cub reporter" for the ''New York World'' when he wrote his first novel, ''Wife of the Centaur''. It was published by the George H. Doran Company in October 1923 and listed at $2.50 as "A novel of youth and love today so poignant and vivid that it will attract wide attention." On November 22, he sold the motion-picture rights for $25,000, considered a record amount at the time. Hume wrote for 29 films between 1924 and 1966, including '' Tarzan the Ape Man'' (1932), ''Flying Down to Rio'' (1933), ''The Great Gatsby'' (1949), '' Tokyo Joe'' (1949) and ''Forbidden Planet'' (1956). Personal life Hume was born March 16, 1900 in New Rochelle, New York. In 192 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ralph Bellamy
Ralph Rexford Bellamy (June 17, 1904 – November 29, 1991) was an American actor whose career spanned 65 years on stage, film, and television. During his career, he played leading roles as well as supporting roles, garnering acclaim and awards, including a Tony Award for Best Dramatic Actor in '' Sunrise at Campobello'' and Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for '' The Awful Truth'' (1937). Early life Bellamy was born in Chicago. He was the son of Lilla Louise (née Smith), a native of Canada, and Charles Rexford Bellamy. He ran away from home when he was 15 and managed to gain employment in a road show. He toured with road shows before finally landing in New York City. He began acting on stage there and, by 1927, owned his own theater company. In 1931, he made his film debut and worked constantly throughout the decade both as a lead and as a capable supporting actor. He co-starred in five films with Fay Wray. Film and television career His film career beg ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sam Levene
Sam Levene (born Scholem Lewin; August 28, 1905 – December 28, 1980) was a Russian Empire-born American Broadway theatre, Broadway, film, radio, and television actor and Television director, director. In a career spanning over five decades, he appeared in over 50 comedy and drama theatrical stage productions and acted in over 50 films across the United States and abroad. Early life Levene was born as Scholem Lewin in Russia, the youngest of five children by a dozen years. He immigrated to the United States when he was two years old. He grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Avenue D and 8th Street and attended Public School 64. Levene, who would have been a graduate of Stuyvesant High School in 1923, dropped out. He also failed to qualify for the school's dramatic society. Since he had been in the class of Broadway for over five decades, the illustrious dropout was given a special award, his Stuyvesant High School diploma, in a 1976 ceremony held at the New York's Pr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meg Mundy
Margaret Anne Mary Mundy (January 4, 1915 – January 12, 2016) was an English-born American actress and model. She was born in London, and in 1921, at the age of six, emigrated to the United States with her family. Personal life Mundy was born in Marylebone, London. Her mother, Australian opera singer Clytie Hine, studied at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide, South Australia. Her father was English cellist John Mundy. In 1921, the couple emigrated to the United States with their two children. Their father became orchestra manager of the Metropolitan Opera. After retiring as a performer, Hine coached opera singers and musical performers. Meg's younger brother was Columbia University history professor John Hine Mundy. Mundy celebrated her 100th birthday on January 4, 2015, and died on January 12, 2016, at the age of 101. Marriages * Marc Daniels (1942–51; divorced) * Konstantinos "Dino" Yannopoulos (September 15, 1951–?; divorced); 1 child Career In 1940, mod ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Edward Binns
Edward Binns (September 12, 1916 – December 4, 1990) was an American actor. He had a wide-spanning career in film and television, often portraying competent, hard working and purposeful characters in his various roles. He is best known for his work in acclaimed films as ''12 Angry Men'' (1957), ''North by Northwest'' (1959), ''Judgment at Nuremberg'' (1961), '' Fail Safe'' (1964), ''The Americanization of Emily'' (1964), '' Patton'' (1970) and ''The Verdict'' (1982). Early life Binns was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Esther (née Bracken) and Edward Thomas Binns. His family were Quakers. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1937. Career Stage Binns's theatrical career began shortly after his 1937 college graduation, when he participated in a repertory theatre in Cleveland. He followed that with a year as actor and director of the Pan-American Theatre in Mexico City. Next, he went to the University of Pennsylvania as an instructor, directin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frank Overton
Frank Emmons Overton (March 12, 1918April 24, 1967) was an American actor. He was best known for the roles of Maj. Harvey Stovall in '' Twelve O'Clock High'' (1964-1967), Sheriff Heck Tate in ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' (1962) and General Bogan in '' Fail Safe'' (1964). Early life Overton was born in Babylon, New York on March 12, 1918. Career Overton's acting career began on the stage in New York City. His Broadway credits include ''The Desperate Hours'' (1954), ''The Trip to Bountiful'' (1953), ''Truckline Cafe'' (1945) and ''Jacobowsky and the Colonel'' (1943). Peter Gunn TV series 5/30/1960 , season 2 episode 35 " Letter of the Law". Played district attorney Henry Lockwood. Overton appeared in numerous television programs during the early 1950s and through the late 1960s. In 1959, he appeared in an episode of ''The Twilight Zone'' with Gig Young, called " Walking Distance". Overton also appeared in the episode titled " Mute" as Sheriff Harry Wheeler with Ann Jillian. Other ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ransom!
''Ransom!'' is a 1956 American crime drama film examining the reactions of parents, police, and the public to a kidnapping. Written by Richard Maibaum and Cyril Hume, the film is based on a popular episode of ''The United States Steel Hour'' titled "Fearful Decision", which aired in 1954 and starred Ralph Bellamy. Directed by stage and television veteran Alex Segal, the film stars Glenn Ford, Donna Reed, and Leslie Nielsen (in his first film role). A loosely based remake starring Mel Gibson was made in 1996 by director Ron Howard. Its title was ''Ransom'', minus the exclamation point. Plot Young Andy Stannard ( Bobby Clark) is the son of Dave Stannard (Glenn Ford), a wealthy executive, and his wife Edith (Donna Reed). One day, Edith and Dave feel that each has miscommunicated with the other about the whereabouts of their son. The principal Mrs. Partridge ( Mabel Albertson) of Andy's school telephones and informs Edith that Andy was picked up by a nurse and taken to Dr. Gorma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ransom (1996 Film)
''Ransom'' is a 1996 American action thriller film directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Richard Price and Alexander Ignon. The film stars Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, Gary Sinise, Delroy Lindo, Lili Taylor, Brawley Nolte, Liev Schreiber, Donnie Wahlberg and Evan Handler. Gibson was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. The film was the 5th highest-grossing film of 1996 in the United States. The original story came from a 1954 episode of ''The United States Steel Hour'' titled "Fearful Decision". In 1956, it was adapted by Cyril Hume and Richard Maibaum into the feature film, '' Ransom!'', starring Glenn Ford, Donna Reed, and Leslie Nielsen. Plot While multi-billionaire Tom Mullen and his wife Kate attend a science fair, their son Sean is kidnapped. Sean is taken to an apartment by Maris Conner, a caterer working for the Mullens, along with brothers Clark and Cubby Barnes, as well as tech expert Miles Roberts. NYPD Detective Jimmy Shaker is Maris' boyfriend and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ian Fleming
Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer who is best known for his postwar '' James Bond'' series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., and his father was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Henley from 1910 until his death on the Western Front in 1917. Educated at Eton, Sandhurst, and, briefly, the universities of Munich and Geneva, Fleming moved through several jobs before he started writing. While working for Britain's Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, Fleming was involved in planning Operation Goldeneye and in the planning and oversight of two intelligence units, 30 Assault Unit and T-Force. He drew from his wartime service and his career as a journalist for much of the background, detail, and depth of his James Bond novels. Fleming wrote his first Bond novel, '' Casino Royale'', in 1952. It was a success, with three print runs being com ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
