His child kidnapped! Will the father pay the ransom? Will the child be recovered (alive)? Gifted actor Glenn Ford plays David Stannard, father of the kidnapped child, in "Ransom!" (1956).Was it a demanding role? Consider the range of emotions required: lightheartedness?anguish?rattled nerves?hope?disbelief?grim determination?steady nerves?numb resignation?crushing despair?utter elation. Ford delivered with his characteristic intensity and conviction. Co-starring the superb Donna Reed as his shaken wife, and also featuring sympathetic performances by Robert Keith, Leslie Nielsen, and Juano Hernandez, "Ransom!" is a power drama about the loss and recovery of a precious value as well as about human character, choices and consequences, and grace under pressure.The screenplay was co-written by Richard Maibum, who, in the decades ahead would co-write over a dozen of the James Bond films. In a spirit of imitation which sought either to equal or surpass the excellence of the original production?and which in fact did neither?director Ron Howard and actor Mel Gibson revisited the property with the appropriately un-exclamation-pointed "Ransom" in 1996.Featured here are several prime Glenn Ford/"Dave Stannard" clips. Enjoy!Comments or questions are welcome; however, lewd or derogatory remarks will never see the light of day.If it hasn't occurred by the time you read this: would you like to see "Ransom!" restored and released to its original widescreen glory on DVD? Please petition the studio!Warner Home Video Inc.4000 Warner Blvd.Burbank, CA 91522-1543CA Tel. 818-954-6000Fax 212-954-7667Thank you.
