Breakdown is a 1952 American crime film noir starring Ann Richards. It was her last film before she retired.
Breakdown | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Edmond Angelo |
Produced by | Edmond Angelo |
Written by | Robert Abel |
Based on | the play The Samson Slasher by Robert Abel |
Starring | Ann Richards |
Music by | Paul Dunlap |
Cinematography | Paul Ivano |
Edited by | Robert M. Leeds |
Production company | Pegasus Productions |
Distributed by | Realart Pictures Inc. |
Release date |
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Running time | 76 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The film was also known as Decision.
Screenplay
Framed for murder, heavyweight boxer Terry Williams (Bishop) is sent to prison, but is released after a few years on good behavior. He becomes a championship contender and then, on the eve of the big fight, finds the man who can prove that he was framed for the crime for which he served time.
- Ann Richards as June Hannum
- William Bishop as Terry Williams
- Anne Gwynne as Candy Allen
- Sheldon Leonard as Nick Samson
- Wally Cassell as Pete Samson
- Richard Benedict as Punchy
- Joe McTurk as Longshot McGinnis
- John Vosper as Judge Sam Hannum
- Roy Engel as Al Bell
- Norman Rainey as Doc
- Hal Baylor as Joe Thompson
- Elena Sirangelo as Mrs. Prescott
- Gene Covelli as Gumbo, the newsboy
- Michelle King as Girl in Audience
- Al Cantor as Joe DeVito
Pegasus Productions was a company headed by Max Gifford which announced they were going to make three films. One of these was The Slasher based on a play by Robert Abel. Abel had been a prize fighter for four years. He had written a play The Big Shot which was produced on stage in 1951, directed by Edmund Angelo.
Abel then wrote The Slasher and Angelo signed to direct. His wife Ann Richards played the female lead. It was Richards' first film in three years. It was then known as Decisions.
Filming started 1 December 1951 at Republic Studios. Filming went for eleven days.
Pegagus' second production was to be You're Not So Dangerous and was to star Richards as a social worker confused for a gangster's moll.