Ransom!
Encyclopedia
Ransom! is a 1956 crime drama examining the reactions of parents, police, and the public to a kidnapping
. Written by Richard Maibaum
and Cyril Hume
, the film was based on a popular episode of "The United States Steel Hour
" titled "Fearful Decision," which aired in 1954
. Directed by stage and television veteran Alex Segal
, the film starred Glenn Ford
, Donna Reed
, and Leslie Nielsen
.
A loosely based remake starring Mel Gibson
was made in 1996 by director Ron Howard
. Its title was Ransom, minus the exclamation point.
Dave Stannard is a wealthy executive. Helped by his brother and business partner Al, he prepares to pay a $500,000 ransom demanded by the kidnappers. But the chief of police, Jim Backett, and a newspaper reporter, Charlie Telfer, tell him that the odds are his son won't be returned whether or not he pays the ransom.
Dave decides to turn the tables on the kidnappers. He appears on television, refusing to pay and instead placing the money before him as a bounty on their heads if his son is not safely returned.
Dave is vilified by his wife, brother and the public for his decision. He is left virtually alone at home, wondering until the very last minute if his gamble was worth the risk. Andy (Bobby Clark) returns to his father Dave, in the house garden in the late evening, in a new shirt making a poignant parental love scene.
Kidnapping
In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
. Written by Richard Maibaum
Richard Maibaum
Richard Maibaum was an American film producer, playwright and screenwriter best known for his adaptations of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels....
and Cyril Hume
Cyril Hume
Cyril Hume was an American screenwriter. He wrote for 29 films between 1924 and 1966.He was born in New York, New York and died in Palos Verdes, California.-Selected filmography:* The Invisible Boy...
, the film was based on a popular episode of "The United States Steel Hour
The United States Steel Hour
The United States Steel Hour is an anthology series which brought hour-long dramas to television from 1953 to 1963. The television series and the radio program that preceded it were both sponsored by the United States Steel Corporation....
" titled "Fearful Decision," which aired in 1954
1954 in television
The year 1954 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1954.-Events:*January 1 – NBC broadcasts the Rose Parade in NTSC color on 21 stations.*January 3 – RAI launched in Italy....
. Directed by stage and television veteran Alex Segal
Alex Segal
Alex Segal was an American television director, television producer and film director.He directed mostly on television making over 25 productions between his debut as a director on Starring Boris Karloff in 1949 and his death.He directed a few films including Joy in the Morning in 1965.He received...
, the film starred Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
, Donna Reed
Donna Reed
Donna Reed was an American film and television actress.With appearances in over 40 films, Reed received the 1953 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as the tramp Lorene in the war drama From Here to Eternity. She is also noted for her role in the perennial Christmas...
, and Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen
Leslie William Nielsen, OC was a Canadian and naturalized American actor and comedian. Nielsen appeared in more than one hundred films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying more than 220 characters...
.
A loosely based remake starring Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
was made in 1996 by director Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
. Its title was Ransom, minus the exclamation point.
Plot
Young Andy Stannard is kidnapped from school by a woman disguised as a nurse. His shaken parents, Dave and Edith, notify the police.Dave Stannard is a wealthy executive. Helped by his brother and business partner Al, he prepares to pay a $500,000 ransom demanded by the kidnappers. But the chief of police, Jim Backett, and a newspaper reporter, Charlie Telfer, tell him that the odds are his son won't be returned whether or not he pays the ransom.
Dave decides to turn the tables on the kidnappers. He appears on television, refusing to pay and instead placing the money before him as a bounty on their heads if his son is not safely returned.
Dave is vilified by his wife, brother and the public for his decision. He is left virtually alone at home, wondering until the very last minute if his gamble was worth the risk. Andy (Bobby Clark) returns to his father Dave, in the house garden in the late evening, in a new shirt making a poignant parental love scene.
Cast
- Glenn FordGlenn FordGlenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
as Dave Stannard - Donna ReedDonna ReedDonna Reed was an American film and television actress.With appearances in over 40 films, Reed received the 1953 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as the tramp Lorene in the war drama From Here to Eternity. She is also noted for her role in the perennial Christmas...
as Edith Stannard - Leslie NielsenLeslie NielsenLeslie William Nielsen, OC was a Canadian and naturalized American actor and comedian. Nielsen appeared in more than one hundred films and 1,500 television programs over the span of his career, portraying more than 220 characters...
as Charlie Telfer - Juano HernandezJuano HernándezJuano Hernández was a Puerto Rican stage and film actor of African descent who was a pioneer in the African-American film industry. He made his debut in an Oscar Micheaux film, "The Girl from Chicago" which was directed at black audiences. Hernández also performed in a serious of dramatic roles in...
as Chapman - Robert KeithRobert KeithRobert Keith was an American stage and film actor who appeared in several dozen films, mostly in the 1950s as a character actor.-Early life and career:...
as Police Chief Backett - Richard Gaines as Langly
- Mabel AlbertsonMabel AlbertsonMabel Albertson was an American actress.Albertson was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, the daughter of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Flora Craft and Leopold Albertson. Her brother was actor Jack Albertson...
as Mrs. Partridge - Alexander ScourbyAlexander ScourbyAlexander Scourby was an American film, television, and voice actor known for his deep and resonant voice...
as Dr. Gorman - Bobby Clark as Andy Stannard
- Ainslie Pryor as Al Stannard
- Lori March as Elizabeth Stannard
- Robert BurtonRobert BurtonRobert Burton may refer to:* Robert Burton , Master of University College, Oxford, England * Robert Burton , English scholar and vicar* Robert Burton, Sr. , printing industry executive...
as Sheriff Kessing - Juanita MooreJuanita MooreJuanita Moore is an American film and television actress. She is the fifth African American to be nominated for an Academy Award in any category, and the third in the Supporting Actress category.-Career:...
as Shirley Lorraine - Charles HerbertCharles HerbertCharles Herbert is a former American child actor of the 1950s and 1960s. Before reaching his teens, Herbert was renowned by a generation of moviegoers for an on-screen broody, mature style and wit that enabled him to go one-on-one with some of the biggest names in the industry, and his appearances...
as Butchie Ritter