My Forbidden Past

My Forbidden Past
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Stevenson
Produced by	Polan Banks Robert Sparks
Written by	Leopold Atlas (adaptation)
Screenplay by	Marion Parsonnet
Based on	Carriage Entrance 1947 novel by Polan Banks
Starring	Robert Mitchum Ava Gardner Melvyn Douglas
Music by	Friedrich Hollaender
Cinematography	Harry J. Wild
Edited by	George C. Shrader
Distributed by	RKO Radio Pictures
Release date	April 21, 1951 (1951-04-21) (USA)^[1]
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1,150,000 (US rentals)^[2]

My Forbidden Past is a 1951 film directed by Robert Stevenson. It stars Robert Mitchum and Ava Gardner.^[3] Adapted from Polan Banks novel Carriage Entrance by Leopold Atlas.

Plot summary

In 1890s New Orleans, wrongly believing Barbara Beaurevelle (Ava Gardner) had stood him up on the eve of their elopement, Dr. Mark Lucas (Robert Mitchum) has returned from South America accompanied by Corinne (Janis Carter), a woman he married on the rebound. Determined to win him back, Barbara bribes her cousin (Melvyn Douglas) to break up the marriage, a cold-blooded scheme that ends in death and the doctor suspected of murder.

Cast

Robert Mitchum as Dr. Mark Lucas
Ava Gardner as Barbara Beaurevelle
Melvyn Douglas as Paul Beaurevelle
Lucile Watson as Aunt Eula Beaurevelle
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.