Repeat Performance
Repeat Performance is a 1947 American film noir crime drama (with fantasy elements) starring Louis Hayward and Joan Leslie. The film was released by Eagle-Lion Films, directed by Alfred L. Werker, and produced by Aubrey Schenck.
| Repeat Performance | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Alfred L. Werker |
| Produced by | Aubrey Schenck |
| Screenplay by | Walter Bullock |
| Based on | Repeat Performance 1942 novel by William O'Farrell |
| Starring | Louis Hayward Joan Leslie Tom Conway |
| Narrated by | John Ireland (uncredited) |
| Music by | George Antheil |
| Cinematography | L. William O'Connell |
| Edited by | Louis Sackin |
Production company | Bryan For Productions Eagle-Lion Films |
| Distributed by | Eagle-Lion Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $600,000[1] or $1.3 million[2] |
Plot
On New Year's Eve 1946, a woman is standing over her dead husband with a gun in her hand. She panics and goes to her friends for help. While seeking help from her friends at a pair of parties, she wishes that she could live 1946 all over again.
Magically, because she wished exactly at the strike of midnight on New Year's, her wish is granted and she is transported back to the beginning of 1946 with her husband alive. She attempts to relive the year without making the mistakes she and her friends made throughout the year, but certain events repeat themselves nonetheless, leaving Sheila to question whether there really is such a thing as fate or not.
The story climaxes again on New Year's Eve, when through Sheila's interferences over the year, her husband becomes convinced that she's trying to destroy him. He violently confronts her. Her friend William, who believed in Sheila's foresight, shoots her husband with her gun.
Cast
- Louis Hayward as Barney Page
- Joan Leslie as Sheila Page
- Virginia Field as Paula Costello
- Tom Conway as John Friday
- Richard Basehart as William Williams
- Natalie Schafer as Eloise Shaw
- Benay Venuta as Bess Michaels
- Ilka Grüning as Mattle
- John Ireland as Narrator (uncredited)
- Eric Wilton as Reveler (uncredited)
Production
The film changed the original story where the girl was the villain because it was felt Joan Leslie could not play a villain.[1]
Remake
This film was remade as the television film Turn Back the Clock (1989) directed by Larry Elikann. It featured Jere Burns, Wendy Kilbourne and original cast member Joan Leslie.
See also
References
- Tom Weaver, It Came from Horrorwood: Interviews with Moviemakers in the SF and Horror Tradition McFarland, 2000 p 272
- "Eagle-Lion's US Performance Reviewed by Foy in NY", Variety, 19 March 1947 p 13