The Chase
1946 · United States · 86 min
- Director
- Arthur Ripley
- Screenplay
- Philip Yordan
- Producer
- Seymour Nebenzal
- Music
- Michel Michelet
- Cinematography
- Franz Planer
Cast
What it is about
Chuck Scott, a World War II veteran, drifts through Miami as a penniless man tormented by strange dreams. After returning a lost wallet to Eddie Roman, a violent gangster, he is hired as his chauffeur. He soon finds himself caught up in a scheme to help Roman's wife, Lorna, escape her cruel husband and flee to Havana.
How it was made
Producer Seymour Nebenzal bought the rights to Cornell Woolrich's 1944 novel and hired Philip Yordan to write the screenplay. To satisfy the Production Code, much of the action was framed as a dream, and the Cuban scenes were adjusted so as not to upset the Cuban government. A contract dispute delayed shooting by a month and led to Joan Leslie being replaced by Michèle Morgan. Arthur Ripley directed, with cinematography by Franz Planer.
Reception and legacy
The film was entered in the 1947 Cannes Film Festival and drew divided reactions: some critics praised its suspense, while others faulted its reliance on a dream ending. It was not a financial success, but it became a cult favorite, and some writers regard it as the closest screen equivalent to Woolrich's dark fiction. Eddie Muller compared its dreamlike quality to the cinema of David Lynch.
Stills
Trivia
A recast lead
Joan Leslie was borrowed from Warner Bros. for the role, but a contract dispute with the studio led Seymour Nebenzal to cast Michèle Morgan instead.
A changed ending
Scotty was originally going to re-enlist in the army at the end, but veterans objected, so Roman's death was moved earlier to let Lorna end up with Scotty.
More films by Arthur Ripley
Voice in the WindOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.