Cry Wolf (1947)

Interesting facts

Cry Wolf is a 1947 American mystery film noir directed by Peter Godfrey and starring Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck and Geraldine Brooks. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is based on the 1945 novel of the same name by Marjorie Carleton.

Production

The novel was published in January 1945. The New York Times wrote: "[T]he plot has pace; the mansion is traditionally eerie, the heroine is charming. Situations and dialogue, however, are often clumsily handled." The Chicago Tribune called the book "a spicy piece".

In April 1945, Warner Bros. Pictures bought the film rights as a vehicle for Barbara Stanwyck. Catherine Turney was assigned to write the script and Dennis Morgan announced as the male lead. Turney says Stanwyck read the book "and thought it was a good part for her."

In March 1946, Errol Flynn was announced as the male lead and Peter Godfrey as director. Turney says Flynn realised he was playing support to Stanwyck but after reading the script felt it was "kind of an interesting character" and was persuaded to make the film.

The film was produced by Flynn's Thomson Productions company. According to Catherine Turney, "At that time, the studio was making deals with some of the big stars so they wouldn't have to give them raises in salary. They would make them producers in name only, and it allowed them to get capital gains, something taken off their income tax." She says this was the case with Flynn who "never functioned" as a producer on Cry Wolf "in any way.

Geraldine Brooks and Richard Basehart were both New York stage actors who had recently accepted contracts with Warner Bros.

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