| Stella | |
|---|---|
 Ann Sheridan and David Wayne in Stella | |
| Directed by | Claude Binyon |
| Written by | Claude Binyon |
| Based on | Family Skeleton by Doris Miles Disney |
| Produced by | Sol C. Siegel |
| Starring | Ann Sheridan Victor Mature David Wayne Randy Stuart Marion Marshall Frank Fontaine Leif Erickson Evelyn Varden Lea Penman Joyce MacKenzie Hobart Cavanaugh |
| Cinematography | Joseph MacDonald |
| Edited by | Harmon Jones |
| Music by | Cyril J. Mockridge |
| Color process | Black and white |
| Production company | 20th Century Fox |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Stella is a 1950 American black comedy film directed by Claude Binyon and starring Ann Sheridan, Victor Mature and Leif Erickson.
In the film, the family of an accident victim decide to bury the corpse in secret. They want to avoid suspicions of murder.
Plot
When a relative dies in an accident, family members worry that they will be suspected of murder, so they bury the body, but that does not solve anything.
Cast
- Ann Sheridan as Stella Bevans
- Victor Mature as Jeff DeMarco
- Leif Erickson as Fred Anderson Jr.
- David Wayne as Carl Granger
- Randy Stuart as Claire
- Marion Marshall as Mary
- Frank Fontaine as Don
- Evelyn Varden as Flora
- Lea Penman as Mrs. Calhoun
- Joyce MacKenzie as Peggy Denny
- Hobart Cavanaugh as Tim Gross
Production
The novel Family Skeleton by Doris Miles Disney was published in 1949. The New York Times described the book as "half humorous... not a mystery, hardly even a murder novel, and certainly not the light farce suggested by the publisher's grinning skull symbol." Hero Jeff di Marco later appeared in Disney's Straw Man in 1951.
The film was known as Stella and the City Man. Susan Hayward was meant to play the title role but refused and was put on suspension. Ann Sheridan replaced her. Filming started in March 1950.
Stella was Hobart Cavanaugh's last film; he knew he did not have long to live and collapsed twice on set, but was determined to see it through.
Critical reception
The New York Times wrote "With a good cast, including David Wayne and Ann Sheridan; dialogue which is generally bright and often quite satirical, Mr. Binyon has put together a surprisingly funny show."
The film was a box office disappointment.
References
- A. B. (May 1949). "Killing of Uncle Joe: FAMILY SKELETON Doris Miles Disney. 188 pp. New York: Doubleday-Crime Club. $2.25". p. BR29.
- ANTHONY BOUCHER (October 21, 1951). "Criminals at Large". New York Times. p. 195.
- THOMAS F. BRADY (March 1, 1950). "PARAMOUNT GETS OPTION ON NOVEL: TO ENACT TITLE ROLE". New York Times. p. 42.
- THOMAS F. BRADY (March 13, 1950). "HAWKS, LASKER BUY RIGHTS TO 'BIG SKY': Producing Firm Acquires A. B. Guthrie Novel for Filming in the Late Summer Ross Acquires "Rendezvous"". New York Times. p. 15.
- "Jimmy Fidler in Hollywood". Valley Morning Star. May 5, 1950 – via Newspapers.com.
- "THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; 'Stella,' With Ann Sheridan and David Wayne, New Feature at the Roxy Theatre". The New York Times. August 19, 1950.
- "End of stars and system era". Variety. January 3, 1951. p. 59.
External links
- Stella at IMDb
- Stella at the TCM Movie Database
| Films directed by Claude Binyon | |
|---|---|
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- 1950 films
- 1950 black comedy films
- American black comedy films
- Films based on American novels
- Films directed by Claude Binyon
- Films scored by Cyril J. Mockridge
- 20th Century Fox films
- Films produced by Sol C. Siegel
- 1950 comedy-drama films
- American black-and-white films
- 1950s English-language films
- 1950s American films
- English-language black comedy films
- 1950s comedy film stubs
- 1950s American film stubs