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Abandoned
Abandoned 1949 film.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoseph M. Newman
(as Joe Newman)
Produced byJerry Bresler
Written byIrwin Gielgud
William Bowers
(additional dialogue)
StarringDennis O'Keefe
Gale Storm
Jeff Chandler
Music byWalter Scharf
CinematographyWilliam H. Daniels
Edited byEdward Curtiss
Color processBlack and white
Productioncompany
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • October 6, 1949 (1949-10-06) (Detroit)
Running time79 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Abandoned is a 1949 American crime film noir directed by Joseph M. Newman and starring Dennis O'Keefe, Gale Storm and Jeff Chandler.[2][3]

It is also known as Abandoned Women and Not Wanted.[4]

Premise[edit]

After her sister goes missing in Los Angeles, a woman tries to find information about the disappearance at city hall. The police are not helpful, but she does get support from a local crime reporter. As the two investigate the disappearance together, they are led to a shady detective and a black-market baby ring.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

The film was one of a series of semi-documentary movies that were popular at the time. It was based on an original story by Irwin Gielgud commissioned by producer Jerry Bresler.[5] Director Joseph Newman and Bresler had previously worked together in the shorts department at MGM.[6] Ann Blyth was originally announced for the female lead.[7]

It was shot on the Universal backlot and on location in Los Angeles.[8]

Jeff Chandler made the film before Broken Arrow. However, after being cast in that film, he was given star billing for Abandoned.[9]

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

A.W., writing for The New York Times called the film a "briskly-paced thriller" but said the movie "proceeds along conventional melodramatic lines".[10]

This was Chandler's first film for Universal under a long term contract, and the positive response to his performance began his graduation into leading roles.[11]

See also[edit]

  • List of American films of 1949

References[edit]

  1. ^ Abandoned at the American Film Institute Catalog
  2. ^ Abandoned at the American Film Institute Catalog.
  3. ^ Silver, Alain (2010). Film Noir: The Encyclopedia. p. 23. ISBN 978-0715638804.
  4. ^ "JEFF CHANDLER MAN OF MANY FACES: He Can Play Any Kind of Character Role, and Is a Glamor Guy, Too Hedda Hopper Writes of Jeff Chandler" Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune May 6, 1951: c8.
  5. ^ "DUVIVIER TO FILM 'THE FIRST LEGION': Emmett Lavery's 1934 Play Will Go Before Cameras in France Next Year" by THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times December 16, 1948: 41
  6. ^ "Metro May Have Uncle Tom in Grooming Stage; Williams Bid for Italy" Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times April 22, 1949: A7.
  7. ^ "ANN BLYTH TO PLAY LEAD IN U-I MOVIE: She Will Be in 'Abandoned,' Film on Baby Adoption Gang -- Brooks Doing Melodrama" by THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times April 11, 1949: 29.
  8. ^ "Subway Terminal Storm Center of Movie Plot; Zinnemann Deal on Fire" Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times May 9, 1949: B7
  9. ^ "Jeff Chandler Finally Gets to 'Act His Age': Rising Young (31) Screens Player Considers Himself 'a Lucky Kid'" SCHEUER, PHLIP K. Los Angeles Times October 29, 1950: D3.
  10. ^ Film review New York Times, October 27, 1949.
  11. ^ Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune, "Jeff Chandler Man of Many Faces: He Can Play Any Kind of Character Role, and is a Glamor Guy, Too." May 6, 1951: c8. Hedda Hopper Writes of Jeff Chandler.

External links[edit]

  • Abandoned at the American Film Institute Catalog
  • Abandoned at IMDb
  • Abandoned at AllMovie
  • Abandoned at the TCM Movie Database
  • Abandoned at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Abandoned film clip on YouTube