The Sign of the Ram
| The Sign of the Ram | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John Sturges |
| Produced by | Irving Cummings Jr. |
| Screenplay by | Charles Bennett |
| Based on |
the novel The Sign of the Ram by Margaret Ferguson |
| Starring |
Susan Peters Alexander Knox |
| Music by | Hans J. Salter |
| Cinematography | Burnett Guffey |
| Edited by | Aaron Stell |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Sign of the Ram is a 1948 American film noir directed by John Sturges and written by Charles Bennett, based on a novel written by Margaret Ferguson. The drama features Susan Peters and Alexander Knox, among others.[1]
Plot
The story tells of Leah St. Aubyn (Peters) an invalid wife and mother who uses dictatorial control over everyone she knows. Leah's family forgive her temperament due to her medical condition, yet she exploits that fact fully. Eventually her behavior leaves her alone and without friends. Yet, even in her dark moments she insists upon "controlling all." Finally, she engineers her own death.
Cast
- Susan Peters as Leah St. Aubyn
- Alexander Knox as Mallory St. Aubyn
- Phyllis Thaxter as Sherida Binyon
- Peggy Ann Garner as Christine St. Aubyn
- Ron Randell as Dr. Simon Crowdy
- Dame May Whitty as Clara Brastock
- Allene Roberts as Jane St. Aubyn
- Diana Douglas as Catherine Woolton
Reception
Critical response
Film critic Bosley Crowther was harsh, writing, "Plainly the story is claptrap. And the direction of John Sturges is such that the illogic and the pomposity are only magnified. By showing Miss Peters, in her wheelchair, as though she were an alabaster doll, with just about as much personality, he has completely denatured her role. And by directing Phyllis Thaxter, Peggy Ann Garner, Allene Roberts and Alexander Knox to hit such a slowness of tempo and such a sombreness of tone that the whole thing drifts into monotony, he has only emphasized the static qualities. If it weren't for the noisy interjection of thunder-drums and pounding surf from time to time, this would be an effective soporofic. And it might have been kinder to let it be."[2]
Film critic Hal Erickson wrote, "Far more tasteful than it sounds, Sign of the Ram was a worthwhile valedictory vehicle for Susan Peters, who died a few years after the film's release."[3]
References
- ↑ The Sign of the Ram at the American Film Institute Catalog.
- ↑ Crowther, Bosley. The New York Times film review, March 4, 1948. Accessed: February 17, 2008.
- ↑ Erikson, Hal. The Sign of the Ram at AllMovie.
External links
- The Sign of the Ram at the American Film Institute Catalog
- The Sign of the Ram at the Internet Movie Database
- The Sign of the Ram at AllMovie
- The Sign of the Ram at the TCM Movie Database
- The Sign of the Ram introduction of film on YouTube at Turner Classic Movies