“Suddenly” is a 1954 American film noir directed by Lewis Allen and starring Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, and Nancy Gates. The movie follows the story of a small town sheriff (Hayden) who must protect the President of the United States during a brief stopover in his town, where an assassin (Sinatra) and his accomplices plan to ambush the President.
The movie explores themes of patriotism, duty, and the psychology of a killer. Sinatra’s character, John Baron, is a war veteran suffering from PTSD who is motivated by his hatred of the government and a desire for revenge. He takes a family hostage in a house overlooking the train station where the President is scheduled to arrive, and threatens to kill them unless the Sheriff cooperates with him.
The tension builds as the Sheriff tries to outsmart Baron and protect the President, leading to a thrilling climax where the two face off in a showdown. The movie was well received by audiences and critics for its suspenseful plot, strong performances, and intense atmosphere. It is now considered a classic of the film noir genre.
Directors:
Lewis Allen
Writer:
Richard Sale
Stars:
Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason
