Crisis (1950 film)
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by George Tabori
| Crisis | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Brooks |
| Screenplay by | Richard Brooks |
| Story by | George Tabori |
| Based on | "The Doubters" by George Tabori |
| Produced by | Arthur Freed |
| Starring | Cary Grant José Ferrer Paula Raymond Signe Hasso Ramon Novarro Gilbert Roland Leon Ames |
| Cinematography | Ray June |
| Edited by | Robert J. Kern |
| Music by | Miklós Rózsa |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release dates | |
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,581,000[4] |
| Box office | $1,403,000[4] |
Crisis is a 1950 American film noir directed by Richard Brooks (in his directorial debut) and starring Cary Grant, José Ferrer and Paula Raymond. It follows American couple Eugene and Helen Ferguson who inadvertently become embroiled in a revolution. The film is based on the short story titled "The Doubters" by George Tabori, which was published in the magazine Today's Woman.[5]
Dr. Eugene Ferguson, a renowned American brain surgeon, and his wife Helen are vacationing in Latin America when a revolution takes place. They are taken against their will to the country's dictator, Raoul Farrago, who urgently needs a life-saving operation.
Over the next few days, while Ferguson trains assistants for the delicate operation, he witnesses various acts of brutality by the regime, especially by Colonel Adragon. Roland Gonzales, the rebel leader, kidnaps Helen to pressure her husband to intentionally botch the surgery. His message to Ferguson is intercepted by Isabel Farrago, the dictator's wife, and the operation is a success. Helen is released unharmed when Farrago dies soon afterward and his government is overthrown.
Cast
- Cary Grant as Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson
- José Ferrer as Raoul Farrago
- Paula Raymond as Helen Ferguson
- Signe Hasso as Isabel Farrago
- Ramon Novarro as Colonel Adragon
- Gilbert Roland as Roland Gonzales
- Leon Ames as Sam Proctor
Production
The screenplay is based on George Tabori's short story titled "The Doubters" that appeared in the magazine Today's Woman. MGM had previously attempted to produce a film adaptation of Tabori's story "Crete", which had also been published in Today's Woman, but the project did not materialize. The studio neglected to secure rights to "The Doubters" from the magazine until just before the film's release, when the oversight was corrected. However, Today's Woman did not seek a screen credit for itself, hoping to avoid a dispute with MGM that might harm Tabori.[5] The film's preproduction working title was Ferguson.[6]
The year before, Richard Brooks had been lured away from Warner Bros. by MGM producer Arthur Freed to write the screenplay for his unit's Clark Gable film, Any Number Can Play, with the understanding that he would soon be able to direct as well as write pictures for the studio. Crisis was his first opportunity and he embarked on it after an extensive research trip to Colombia and several Central American countries.[7]
Inspired by the film's Latin American setting, Brooks and Freed decided to cast three of MGM's former, Silent Era "Latin-Lover" stars in support of Grant: Antonio Moreno, Ramon Novarro, and Gilbert Roland.[8]
Actress and future first lady Nancy Davis tested for the lead female role Helen Ferguson that was ultimately awarded to Paula Raymond in December 1949.[9] MGM hoped to use Crisis as a vehicle to launch Raymond, whom they viewed as the next Norma Shearer, to stardom.[10]
Cary Grant viewed the dramatic role of Dr. Eugene Ferguson, his first in several years, as the greatest challenge of his career to that point.[11] It was his first film for MGM since The Philadelphia Story in 1940.[12]
Production began in early January 1950.[13]
