Product: Sudden Fear [VHS]
Rating: 5.0
This film made me a Joan Crawford fan
Joan Crawford was an actress a generation before mine, and I knew little about her except for some 1960s films like "I Saw What You Did", or the abysmal "Trog". When the "Mommie Dearest" Faye Dunaway film portrayal later appeared, it formed an impression of Crawford as an eccentric who abused her adopted children. I held that image for decades and had no interest in her films.Then around 2000, I saw "Sudden Fear" on TCM. I was floored by her talent as an actress. The latter part of this film, after she discovers the plot against her, and especially in the streets after her bad husband tries to run her down, is stunning. The scene of her walking with tears in her eyes tore me apart. I could not get the scene out of my mind. Then I discovered another great film, "Johnny Guitar", then "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane," and even appreciated lower budget films such as "Strait-Jacket". The list goes on and on. Over the past decade, I have concluded that Joan Crawford is my all-time favorite actress. She was a STAR, a movie star of the highest caliber and no modern actor or actress has either the ability or presence that she has on film.I am satisfied with the video and audio portion of the 60 year old film on the DVD. Kino typically presents the best images available and works to improve what they have too. I do think the price for the DVD is way too high, though.