My Forbidden Past | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Robert Stevenson |
Written by | Leopold Atlas (adaptation) |
Screenplay by | Marion Parsonnet |
Based on | Carriage Entrance 1947 novel by Polan Banks |
Produced by | Polan Banks Robert Sparks |
Starring | Robert Mitchum Ava Gardner Melvyn Douglas |
Cinematography | Harry J. Wild |
Edited by | George C. Shrader |
Music by | Friedrich Hollaender |
Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 70 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $1,150,000 (US rentals)[2] |
My Forbidden Past is a 1951 film noir directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Robert Mitchum and Ava Gardner.[3] Adapted by Leopold Atlas from Polan Banks' novel Carriage Entrance.
Plot
1890s New Orleans, Dr. Mark Lucas (Robert Mitchum) wrongly believed Barbara Beaurevel (Ava Gardner) refused him the of in their previously planned elopement. Mark has returned from South America accompanied by Corinne (Janis Carter), a woman he married because of a grudge against Barbara. Determined to win him back, Barbara, already having inherited a large sum from his grandmother, bribes her cousin Paul (Melvyn Douglas) to seduced Corinne and thereby break up the marriage, as a result cold-blooded plan ends in death Corinne and suspicion of Mark in murder. In the end, Barbara realizing her insidious act at the trial, confesses everything, thereby once again becoming a woman worthy of love.
Cast
- Robert Mitchum as Dr. Mark Lucas
- Ava Gardner as Barbara Beaurevel
- Melvyn Douglas as Paul Beaurevel
- Lucile Watson as Aunt Eula Beaurevel
- Janis Carter as Corinne Lucas
- Gordon Oliver as Clay Duchesne
- Basil Ruysdael as Dean Cazzley
- Clarence Muse as Pompey
- Walter Kingsford as Coroner
- Will Wright as Luther Toplady
Production
The film was to star Ann Sheridan. Under her contract she had co star approval. RKO claimed she refused all the names offered her and thus terminated the contract, replacing her with Ava Gardner. Sheridan sued RKO for $350,000. The case went to trial and in February 1951 the jury awarded her $55,162, being the minimum amount Sheridan would have earned during filming from April to August 1949 plus $5,162 for costs. It was shown that Sheridan would have approved Mitchum as a co star.[4]
Reception
The film recorded a loss of $700,000.[5]
References
- ^ "My Forbidden Past: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
- ^ 'The Top Box Office Hits of 1951', Variety, January 2, 1952
- ^ "My Forbidden Past (1951) - Robert Stevenson - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
- ^ $55,162 WON IN SUIT BY ANN SHERIDAN: Federal Jury on Coast Gives Actress Damages for Claim Against R.K.O. Studios Of Local Origin By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 7 Feb 1951: 47.
- ^ Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p256.
External links

- My Forbidden Past at IMDb
- My Forbidden Past at the TCM Movie Database
- My Forbidden Past at AllMovie
- My Forbidden Past at the American Film Institute Catalog
