Suddenly
Seen it?1954 | 77 min | Crime, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved JFK or Clear and Present Danger, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 17 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1954: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The tranquility of a small town is marred only by sheriff Tod Shaw's unsuccessful courtship of widow Ellen Benson, a pacifist who can't abide guns and those who use them. But violence descends on Ellen's household willy-nilly when the U.S. President passes through town... and slightly psycho hired assassin John Baron finds the Benson home ideal for an ambush.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.4 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 38K people sought it out in the past year
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Clear and Present Danger
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lewis Allen
- Frank SinatraJohn Baron
- Sterling HaydenSheriff Tod Shaw
- James GleasonPeter 'Pop' Benson
- Nancy GatesEllen Benson
- Kim CharneyPeter 'Pidge' Benson III
- Willis BoucheySecret Service Detail Chief Dan Carney
- Paul FreesBenny Conklin
- Christopher DarkBart Wheeler
- James O'HaraJud Hobson
- Kem DibbsWilson