The Barbara Stanwyck Show (TV Series) Frightened Doll (1961) User Reviews

Stanwyck as you remember her from the early 30's.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 1 June 2024]

Obviously wearing a short black wig through the first half of this episode, Barbara Stanwyck looks like an older version of her pre-code characters, maybe the lady they talk about or the baby face, or maybe even the night nurse. This hard luck boozy bar floozie sits in Wallace Ford's dive night after night, and on one of those nights ends up in Harold J. Stone's hotel room where he dies while they're talking and she grabs a bag filled with money and leaves.

Unfortunately, the mob ends up wanting to find her because it's their money, and she goes into hiding with Ford having switched to her natural hair color and acting more respectable especially said she's not drinking. Perhaps this is a wake up call as she's forced to change her life as only Barbara Stanwyck could allow one of her characters to show her change. Good character performances and a dark, sleazy atmosphere makes this one fun.

Great Noir TV

[gordonl56 · 9/10 · 25 May 2011]

Stanwyck plays a "working girl" who is getting a little old for the game. She gets dolled up every night and hits the local bar. Wallace Ford, the owner and bartender, is Stanwyck's only friend.

After a few drinks, Stanwyck is approached by patron Harold J. Stone. Would she like to come up to his hotel room for a "chat?" Off they go, but all they do is talk. Stanwyck tells Stone she wishes she could go home and see her family, but she is embarrassed by her threadbare existence. Stone says everyone would like to go home, then drops dead of a heart attack! Stanwyck, smart girl that she is, does a quick look-see of the room and finds a briefcase full of cash. She grabs the case and sneaks out of the flea-trap hotel, unseen.

Or so she thinks. The night clerk caught a quick glimpse as she fled. At her apartment, she decides she now has what she needs to return home in style. She can have fine clothes, furs, a fancy car and gifts for everyone.

When Stone is found, the cops recognize him as a bag-man for a Chicago gambling syndicate. The papers print the info and the mob comes looking for their cash. A couple of hard cases hit the hotel and lean on the night clerk, who quickly coughs up Stanwyck's description. The boys comb the local dives and soon end up at Ford's lounge.

Ford realizes they are after Babs and beats the feet over to her place to warn her. Stanwyck dons a disguise and heads out while Ford sneaks the bag of cash down the back stairs. Stanwyck exits the building as the mobsters enter. She and Ford meet out front and head for the bus depot. The mobsters realize whom they passed and set off in pursuit. As the crooks close in, Ford throws the cash over a convent wall. The gunsels stop to retrieve the cash while Stanwyck and Ford escape. Ford gives her enough cash for the bus and says goodbye. Stanwyck can go home, but only as she is.

The director of this sharply done episode was Jacques Tourneur. His work includes, CAT PEOPLE, I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE, THE LEOPARD MEN, BERLIN EXPRESS, NIGHTFALL and OUT OF THE PAST.

The D of P was Hal Mohr. His work included, WOMAN ON THE RUN, THE WILD ONE. THE BOSS, BABY FACE NELSON, UNDERWORLD USA and THE LINE UP.

A.I. Bezzerides wrote the story for this episode. His noir include, THEY LIVE BY NIGHT, DESERT FURY, THIEVES' HIGHWAY, A BULLET FOR JOEY, ON DANGEROUS GROUND and KISS ME DEADLY.