On the Loose (1951 film)

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On the Loose
On the Loose (1951 film).jpg
Directed by Charles Lederer
James Anderson (assistant)
Screenplay byDale Eunson
Katherine Albert
Story by Malvin Wald
Collier Young
Produced byCollier Young
Starring Joan Evans
Melvyn Douglas
Lynn Bari
Robert Arthur
Hugh O'Brian
Cinematography Archie Stout
Edited byDesmond Marquette
Music by Leigh Harline
Production
company
The Filmakers
Distributed by RKO Pictures
Release date
  • October 11, 1951 (1951-10-11)(Los Angeles) [1]
Running time
78 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

On the Loose is a 1951 American drama film directed by Charles Lederer and starring Joan Evans, Melvyn Douglas, Lynn Bari, Robert Arthur and Hugh O'Brian. The screenplay was written by Evans' parents Dale Eunson and Katherine Albert [2] from a story by Malvin Wald and Collier Young. The film was produced by Young for Ida Lupino's company The Filmakers [3] and distributed by RKO Pictures. Its world premiere was held on October 12, 1951. [1]

Contents

Plot

Teenager Jill Bradley has become suicidal over recent events. Almost everything in her life has gone wrong since her birthday, which her parents Alice and Frank all but ignored. Alice scolds her for buying a new dress, and Frank allows her to keep it if she completes household chores, then becomes furious after Jill sneaks away to see boyfriend Larry Lindsay and returns home late, smelling of liquor.

Unjust rumors are spread about Jill's reputation and teachers treat her unfairly. Classmates refuse to come to her home when invited and one provokes a fight. Frank, called to the school, slaps Jill rather than trust her. Larry finds more trouble for her, ordering champagne at a restaurant under a false pretense, and then dumps her.

Frank tries to make amends with Jill by taking her to a roadhouse and dancing together. Larry enters and assumes that Frank is Jill's date, insulting her as a girl of low morals. Frank strikes Larry and is arrested for assault.

In court, although her father has advised her to keep silent, Jill testifies and explains Frank's motive, and the court acquits him. Frank and Alice vow to become better parents, and when they host a party for Jill, all of her old school friends attend.

Cast

Production

Married screenwriters Dale Eunson and Katherine Albert wrote the screenplay as a vehicle for their daughter Joan Evans. They wrote parts for themselves as schoolteachers but do not appear in the finished film. [2]

Release

The world premiere of On the Loose was held on October 11 1951 at the Orpheum and Hawaii theaters in Los Angeles as a double premiere with Slaughter Trail , another RKO Pictures release. [1]

Reception

In a contemporary review for the Los Angeles Times, critic Edwin Schallert wrote: "'On the Loose' might be called a nice little picture rather well made, and with purpose. ... The intent of the picture stands out rather obviously, and it is a little short of real cleverness, but later scenes dominated by Miss Evans have a moving quality." [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Schallert, Edwin (1951-10-12). "'On the Loose' Challenges Delinquency of Parents". Los Angeles Times . p. 6, Part II.
  2. 1 2 Hopper, Hedda (1951-01-04). "Carlson to Produce Short Films for Rank". Los Angeles Times . p. 6, Part III.
  3. ↑ Schallert, Edwin (1951-01-08). "Mason Production Gets Go-Ahead; Dauphin May Team with Lancaster". Los Angeles Times . p. 9, Part III.
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