“Pushover” (1954) starring Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone & E.G. Marshall / Z-View
Pushover (1954)
Director: Richard Quine
Screenplay: Roy Huggins based on THE NIGHT WATCH by Thomas Walsh and RAFFERTY by Bill Ballinger
Stars: Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak, Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone, E.G. Marshall, Allen Nourse, James Anderson, Tony Barrett, Phil Chambers, Alan Dexter, Anne Loos, Marion Ross, Paul Richards and Dick Crockett.
Tagline: HOT-BLOODED BLONDE…COLD-BLOODED GUY…and MURDER!
The Plot…
Detective Paul Sheridan (MacMurray) is sent undercover to befriend Lona McLane (Novak). Lona is the girlfriend of Harry Wheeler (Richards), the prime suspect in a bank robbery where a security guard was killed and the thieves made off with over $200,000.00. Paul and Lona hit it off.
The police have placed Lona’s apartment under 24 hour surveillance by Paul, an alcoholic cop named Paddy (Nourse) and Detective Rick McAllister (Carey). Paul is surprised when Lona shows up at his house when he’s off-shift. Lona tells Paul that she knows he’s a cop. That she loves him. That if Paul will kill Harry, they could run away together with the bank cash.
Paul refuses… at first. But he’s in love and the temptation is too great. Paul and Lona come up with a plan, but like the best laid plans…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Although Kim Novak’s credit says, Introducing, this wasn’t her first on-screen appearance. She was just 21 when Pushover was released. She definitely comes off as sexier, older and more world-weary than a 21 year old.
Roy Huggins’s script was based on two books not written by him. Huggins was himself a novelist and screenwriter. He was also writer, creator and/or producer of television series that include Maverick, 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive, Hunter, and The Rockford Files.
Marion Ross of Happy Days fame appears uncredited as Mrs. Crockett.
Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak are excellent. Kudos also to Philip Carey, Dorothy Malone and E.G. Marshall.
Pushover (1954) rates 4 of 5 stars.