I had no idea that the Mel Gibson film Ransom was a remake - but while honoring Donna Reed's time as Star of the Week I came across the original in 1956. The two versions are pretty similar, but the modern one is understandably updated and a little scarier. But for 1956, this one is extremely suspenseful and tense. It could have easily ruined Glenn Ford's career, but after playing only one villainous role the following year (Ben Wade in 3:10 to Yuma), he went on to play in Pocketful of Miracles, Cimarron, Dear Heart, and other well-known flicks in the 1960s.
It's really Glenn's movie, so if you're a Donna Reed fan, you'll be severely disappointed. Not only is she not hardly featured, but the few scenes she does have are terribly acted. She plays a mother worried about her kidnapped son, and yet she smiles and remembers her manners and acts as though they're looking for a missing wallet. (And keep in mind, this movie came out the same year as The Man Who Knew Too Much with Doris Day's sedative scene.) Glenn is the one who does all the acting - and what a performance! In one scene, he collapses in tears in Juano Hernandez's arms, and in another he delivers an extremely emotional monologue to the kidnappers via a live televised broadcast. Usually, Glenn is a steady performer with great comic talents and an "everyman" quality that is consistent but doesn't call for heavy dramatics. For the two movies where he's given the opportunity to do more, rent Ransom! And Interrupted Melody. You won't think he has it in him, but he does.
Donna Reed almost ruins it, but thankfully, either the script itself left her to be upstairs lying down for most of the movie; or director Alex Segal knew she didn't have the necessary talent so he insisted on rewrites. Juano Hernandez plays the family butler, and quite frankly, it's insulting. A fine actor who usually snags some quality supporting parts, this one doesn't do him any favors. But, for fans of Glenn, this is a must-see. Some parts of the script are weak, but others will really make you think. You'll also get to see Leslie Neilson in his first movie. He plays a reporter who tries to weasel out facts of the case before the family is ready. He's certainly given a lot to do for his debut, and he does it very well.
It's really Glenn's movie, so if you're a Donna Reed fan, you'll be severely disappointed. Not only is she not hardly featured, but the few scenes she does have are terribly acted. She plays a mother worried about her kidnapped son, and yet she smiles and remembers her manners and acts as though they're looking for a missing wallet. (And keep in mind, this movie came out the same year as The Man Who Knew Too Much with Doris Day's sedative scene.) Glenn is the one who does all the acting - and what a performance! In one scene, he collapses in tears in Juano Hernandez's arms, and in another he delivers an extremely emotional monologue to the kidnappers via a live televised broadcast. Usually, Glenn is a steady performer with great comic talents and an "everyman" quality that is consistent but doesn't call for heavy dramatics. For the two movies where he's given the opportunity to do more, rent Ransom! And Interrupted Melody. You won't think he has it in him, but he does.
Donna Reed almost ruins it, but thankfully, either the script itself left her to be upstairs lying down for most of the movie; or director Alex Segal knew she didn't have the necessary talent so he insisted on rewrites. Juano Hernandez plays the family butler, and quite frankly, it's insulting. A fine actor who usually snags some quality supporting parts, this one doesn't do him any favors. But, for fans of Glenn, this is a must-see. Some parts of the script are weak, but others will really make you think. You'll also get to see Leslie Neilson in his first movie. He plays a reporter who tries to weasel out facts of the case before the family is ready. He's certainly given a lot to do for his debut, and he does it very well.