A runaway truck without brakes that barrels down a mountain road and into a small town provides an exciting start to a film constructed on an intriguing premise. However, if only "Framed" had been able to maintain the initial momentum and build upon the underlying idea, a classic might have emerged. Handsome Glenn Ford of the thick dark eyebrows is behind the wheel of that truck, and, as Michael Lambert, he is quickly arrested and hauled into court, when his truck reaches a stop and he is discovered to have an expired drivers' license. Either dazed by the wild ride or congenitally naive, Ford fails to notice that the sultry blonde bar waitress, who bails him out, pays for his hotel room, and leaves him spending money, has an expensive coiffure, pricey dyed hair, and a chic wardrobe far beyond the means of someone living on tips. If he overlooked those clues, her cozy apartment and her casual job resignation should have tipped him off. However, the college-educated mining engineer is easily taken in by the obvious wiles of Paula Craig, played by Janis Carter in a role that cries out for a Barbara Stanwyck. Carter is as unconvincing in the part as is Ford's keen interest in her.The screenplay by Ben Maddow, adapted from a story by Jack Patrick, reveals that Craig's obvious come-on masks intentions to enlist him as a fall guy for the plot she is hatching with boyfriend Barry Sullivan. The mix of dumb nice guy, evil seductress, money, sex, and murder have produced some classic films, but unfortunately "Framed" falls short. The mediocre production is nicely photographed in black and white by Burnett Guffey, but Richard Wallace's direction, after a great start, falters.The film's disappointment, however, does not lay with star Glenn Ford. Always an affable, likable actor, Ford is engaging in the central role, even if his initial gullibility is hard to swallow. Seeking employment, Ford befriends a colorful local miner, Edgar Buchanan, who strikes pay dirt and offers him a job, which complicates the plans Carter and Sullivan have laid. Veteran character actor, Buchanan, is always fun, and he and Ford make the film worthwhile. However, the lines and situations are often trite, Sullivan is only passable in his role, and Carter is the big void at the film's center. If the audience can quickly see through Paula's character and grasp her intent during her first few moments on screen, the credibility of Ford's tough guy character unravels. While the skill, depth, and sex appeal of a Barbara Stanwyck would have elevated "Framed" several notches, even she may not have been able to make it a classic. However, for fans of Glenn Ford, the film is a must see.

FRAMED - 1947I have had this one laying around for several years gathering dust so i decided it was time for a viewing. What a great little film noir it turned out to be!Glenn Ford, Barry Sullivan and Janis Carter headline this classic femme fatale ditty. Ford is a man who gets set up to take the fall for a bank robbery. The bank manager and his girl, played by Sullivan and Carter, plan to help themselves to $250 grand of the bank's cash. They plan to liquor Ford up, plant Sullivan's id on him and stick him behind the wheel of Sullivan's car. Then off a cliff and let the fire take care of the rest. Sullivan however has underestimated just how much Carter wants the cash. She applies a monkey wrench to the back of Sullivan's head instead of Ford. She then lets Sullivan take the spin off the cliff. Carter then sets Ford up as Sullivan's killer. Needless to say Carter's perfect plan is anything but. Carter comes across as a Joan Crawford clone in this one. A cold and calculating femme fatale if ever there was one. A brisk and to the point noir with cast and crew all shining. Great time-waster. (b/w)

I can't think of a movie in which he lost out, anyway.Here he is a drifter who falls in with a treacherous woman. Initially, he offered work by her romantic interest, the king of film noir, Barry Sullivan. Someone once asked what movie star I felt I identified with most and it was Sullivan. The guy never gave a bad performance.His girl here is played by Janis Carter. Her biography says that she was a hit in musicals on Broadway. I can see that. She has a boyishly cute look. (Ann Savage is hard to imagine in a musical. But look at Constance Towers, so fine in two Samuel Fuller movies and a Broadway darling.) Carter plays one evil woman! Wow, I would keep my distance from her! She's a waitress at a place called La Paloma when Ford meets her by she has high ambitions.Edgar Buchanan is exceptionally touching as the miner who's willing to give engineer Ford a job. We can see he's kind of a loser but he is a very decent guy.This is a tough little film. I recommend it highly.

This little film, made by Columbia Studios, is very enjoyable!! All about a woman who is greedy and wants to get hold of a quarter of a million dollars and plans to rob a bank with the bank president himself, but then something goes awry and well........ you will just have to watch this great B-movie to find out the rest, but I assure you that it is a film that is very good!! Nice work by Glenn Ford and Janis Carter. This film is a bit like "Double Indemnity", only with a twist ending, and a lower budget. Oh, to have this released on DVD--I would be so happy. I just love these old black and white film noir type films from the 1940's and 1950's.