The System (1953 film)

Last updated
The System
The system poster small.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Lewis Seiler
Screenplay by Jo Eisinger
Based onthe story "Investigation"
by Edith Grafton and Samuel Grafton
Produced by Samuel Bischoff
Starring Frank Lovejoy
Joan Weldon
CinematographyEdwin B. DuPar
Edited by Clarence Kolster
Music by David Buttolph
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • April 18, 1953 (1953-04-18)(United States)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The System is a 1953 American film noir crime film directed by Lewis Seiler and starring Frank Lovejoy, Joan Weldon and Robert Arthur.

Contents

Plot

An honest bookmaker discovers the hard way that his line of work is a lot more dangerous than he first thought.

Cast

Reception

When the film was first released, The New York Times' review was brutal. The film critic wrote, "It seems quite appropriate for Warner Brothers' The System, a stultified excursion into contemporary crime, to have opened at the Palace yesterday. The morning weather was drab and depressing. So was the picture ... The sad fact to be faced is that there is not a single thing to recommend The System. The performance of the feminine lead, Joan Weldon, is embarrassing in its inadequacy. Mr. Lovejoy makes an honest effort in a professional way, but the script is such a peachy morass he has no chance. That Lewis Seiler, the director, should fail so is more disappointing when one recalls his memorable Guadalcanal Diary ." Forget this fiasco, for it is one of those soggy melodramas that serve only to fill out double bills." [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Morley</span> English actor (1908–1992)

Robert Adolph Wilton Morley, CBE was an English actor who enjoyed a lengthy career in both Britain and the United States. He was frequently cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment, often in supporting roles. In 1939 he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of King Louis XVI in Marie Antoinette.

<i>The Devil and Miss Jones</i> 1941 film by Sam Wood

The Devil and Miss Jones is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Sam Wood and starring Jean Arthur, Robert Cummings, and Charles Coburn. Its plot follows a department store tycoon who goes undercover in one of his Manhattan shops to ferret union organizers, but instead becomes involved in the employees' personal lives.

<i>I Was a Communist for the FBI</i> 1951 film by Gordon Douglas

I Was a Communist for the FBI is a 1951 American film noir crime film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Frank Lovejoy. The film was produced by Bryan Foy who was head of Warners B picture unit until 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Lovejoy</span> American actor (1912–1962)

Frank Andrew Lovejoy Jr. was an American actor in radio, film, and television. He is perhaps best remembered for appearing in the film noir The Hitch-Hiker and for starring in the radio drama Night Beat.

<i>The Damned Dont Cry</i> 1950 film by Vincent Sherman

The Damned Don't Cry is a 1950 American film noir crime-drama directed by Vincent Sherman and featuring Joan Crawford, David Brian, and Steve Cochran. It tells of a woman's involvement with an organized crime boss and his subordinates. The screenplay by Harold Medford and Jerome Weidman was based on the story "Case History" by Gertrude Walker. The plot is loosely based on the relationship of Bugsy Siegel and Virginia Hill. The film was directed by Vincent Sherman and produced by Jerry Wald. The Damned Don't Cry is the first of three cinematic collaborations between Sherman and Crawford, the others being Harriet Craig (1950) and Goodbye, My Fancy (1951).

<i>Jumping Jacks</i> 1952 film by Norman Taurog

Jumping Jacks is a 1952 American semi-musical comedy film starring the comedy team of Martin and Lewis. The film was directed by Norman Taurog, and released by Paramount Pictures. It was one of the military comedies that marked the duo's early career. Brigadier General Frank Dorn, Deputy Chief of the US Army's Information Office praised Jumping Jacks as something that would "contribute to troop morale within the Army."

<i>Cosh Boy</i> 1953 film

Cosh Boy is a 1953 British film noir based on an original play by Bruce Walker. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert and featured James Kenney and Joan Collins. It was made at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.

Lewis Seiler was an American film director. He directed more than 80 films between 1923 and 1958.

<i>Will Any Gentleman...?</i> 1953 film by Michael Anderson

Will Any Gentleman...? is a 1953 British comedy film directed by Michael Anderson and starring George Cole, Veronica Hurst Heather Thatcher, Jon Pertwee, and William Hartnell. It was based on a 1950 play of the same name by Vernon Sylvaine. It was made at Elstree Studios with sets designed by the art director Terence Verity and shot in Technicolor by cinematographer Erwin Hillier. It was the first of five movies Michael Anderson made for ABPC and was reasonably successful at the box office.

<i>Whiplash</i> (1948 film) 1948 film by Lewis Seiler

Whiplash is a 1948 American film noir directed by Lewis Seiler. It was written by Harriet Frank Jr. and Maurice Geraghty and adapted by Gordon Kahn, from a story by Kenneth Earl. The film stars Dane Clark, Alexis Smith, Zachary Scott and Eve Arden.

<i>Rope</i> (film) 1948 film by Alfred Hitchcock

Rope is a 1948 American psychological crime thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the 1929 play of the same name by Patrick Hamilton. The film was adapted by Hume Cronyn with a screenplay by Arthur Laurents.

<i>A Bullet for Joey</i> 1955 film by Lewis Allen

A Bullet for Joey is a 1955 film noir directed by Lewis Allen and starring Edward G. Robinson and George Raft. The picture involves a gangster who sneaks into Canada to kidnap a scientist for the communists. The supporting cast features Audrey Totter, Peter van Eyck, George Dolenz, and Peter Hansen.

Gang Busters is an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered on January 15, 1936, and was broadcast over 21 years through November 27, 1957.

<i>The Challenge</i> (1938 film) 1938 British film

The Challenge is a 1938 British drama film directed by Milton Rosmer and Luis Trenker and starring Robert Douglas and Luis Trenker. The film is about the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 by Edward Whymper.

<i>For Singles Only</i> 1968 film by Arthur Dreifuss

For Singles Only is a 1968 American comedy film directed by Arthur Dreifuss and starring John Saxon, Mary Ann Mobley, Lana Wood, Peter Mark Richman and Ann Elder.

<i>Bad Men of Missouri</i> 1941 film by Ray Enright

Bad Men of Missouri is a 1941 American Western film directed by Ray Enright and written by Charles Grayson. The film stars Dennis Morgan, Jane Wyman, Wayne Morris and Arthur Kennedy. The film was released by Warner Bros. on July 26, 1941.

<i>Unashamed</i> (film) 1932 film

Unashamed is a 1932 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Harry Beaumont, written by Bayard Veiller and starring Helen Twelvetrees, Robert Young, Lewis Stone, Jean Hersholt, John Miljan and Monroe Owsley. It was released on July 2, 1932 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

<i>It Could Happen to You</i> (1939 film) 1939 American comedy film directed by Alfred L. Werker

It Could Happen to You is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Alfred L. Werker and written by Lou Breslow and Allen Rivkin. The film stars Stuart Erwin, Gloria Stuart, Raymond Walburn, Douglas Fowley, June Gale and Clarence Kolb. The film was released on June 8, 1939, by 20th Century Fox.

<i>Rumble on the Docks</i> 1956 film by Fred F. Sears

Rumble on the Docks is a 1956 American crime film noir directed by Fred F. Sears and starring James Darren, Laurie Carroll, Michael Granger and Robert Blake. The film was based on the novel of the same title by Frank Paley. It was produced by Sam Katzman for release by Columbia Pictures.

<i>Shakedown</i> (1936 film) 1936 film directed by David Selman

Shakedown is a 1936 American crime drama film, directed by David Selman from a screenplay by Grace Neville based on a story by Barry Shipman. The film stars Lew Ayres, Joan Perry, and Thurston Hall, and was released on July 17, 1936. This was Perry's film debut.

References

  1. "Palace Theatre Presents The System". The New York Times. May 23, 1953. Retrieved July 18, 2013.