The Sign of the Ram

Infobox Film
name = The Sign of the Ram


image_size =
caption = Theatrical Poster
director = John Sturges
producer = Irving Cummings Jr.
writer = Screenplay: Charles Bennett Story: Margaret Ferguson
narrator =
starring = Susan Peters Alexander Knox
music = Hans J. Salter
cinematography = Burnett Guffey
editing = Aaron Stell
distributor = Columbia Pictures
released = March 3, 1948
runtime = 84 minutes
country = United States
language = English
amg_id = 1:110094
imdb_id = 0040785

"The Sign of the Ram" (1948) is a 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, Alexander Knox, among others. [imdb title|id=0040785|title=The Sign of the Ram.]

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 hermedical 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
* Ross Ford as Logan St. Aubyn
* Diana Douglas as Catherine Woolton

Critical reception

Film critic Bosley Crowther was harsh on the film, and wrote, "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." [ [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9D07E6D71E3CE03ABC4C53DFB5668383659EDE&oref=slogin Crowther, Bosley] . "The New York Times" film review, March 4, 1948. Last accessed: February 17, 2008.]

Film critic wrote of the film, "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. [Erikson, Hal. amg movie|id=1:110094|title=The Sign of the Ram.]

References

External links

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