When artist Frank Johnson innocently witnesses a murder, he hides out of fear that the murderer will try to kill him, too.

Actually filmed on the spot in a 1950 San Francisco against fascinating locations at Playland on the Beach (which provides a great backdrop for the stomach-churning noirish climax),Chinatown and Telegraph Hill, Woman on the Run is an outstanding film noir which not only presents more than one startling plot surprise during the course of its short running time but a gallery of realistically bizarre characters, not the least of which is the unwilling-to-get-involved witness (a hunch that turns out to be absolutely spot on) and his equally hesitant, off-beat, half-estranged wife, brilliantly portrayed by Ann Sheridan. Co-stars O'Keefe and Keith also contribute gripping performances.

In all, Woman on the Run shapes up as one of Norman Foster's best films (yet it's not even mentioned in the Fox documentary on his life and career included in The Mysterious Mr Moto DVD). The climax is worthy of Orson Welles. My only quarrels with Run are that the actual denouement is staged off-camera, and that you really have to view the movie twice to take in all the clever dialogue and deft scenic effects.

Considering that this film is in the public domain AND I've never heard of it, I naturally assumed it would be a pretty crappy example of Film Noir. However, I was very pleasantly surprised and recommend you give this film a try. It's very well written and gives Ann Sheridan perhaps her best film role as a very noir-like 'dame'! In addition to her lovely performance, you have ubiquitous Robert Keith (a face you'll recognize but a name you will not) and Dennis O'Keefe.

The film begins with some ordinary guy walking his dog late at night. He just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as he accidentally sees a witness against a mobster in an upcoming court case being murdered...and the guy with the dog clearly sees the killer. However, this guy is no hero and as soon as he gets a chance, he escapes from police custody as he does NOT want to be a witness--figuring that he'll be killed if he does give evidence in court. Here is where it gets interesting: when the cops locate this missing witnesses wife, she is less than helpful but also seems to care little for the guy. Sheridan is wonderful as the snappy-talking wife--and there is much more to it--much more. But I really don't want to go further, as it would compromise your enjoying the film.

The bottom line is that the film is wonderfully written, gritty and very exciting film. In addition, the film works well well because it is well-acted and directed. It is not a famous noir film but is among the best--and amazingly enough, all you need to do is follow the link on IMDb to download it for free.

Ann Sheridan stars in this independent feature released by Universal Pictures about a wife searching for a missing husband. Ross Elliott is the husband who is an artist and had the misfortune of seeing a contract killing go down and the killer took a shot or two at Elliott and the dog he was walking.

Sheridan's a cynical sort who thinks hubby is just running out on her. But homicide cops Robert Keith and Frank Jenks know otherwise. But Sheridan does decide to help breezy Dennis O'Keefe who identifies himself as a reporter when O'Keefe offers her money if she helps locate him.

The title is of course a misnomer, Sheridan isn't running she's chasing her fleeing hubby who is fleeing in the wrong direction as it turns out.

The film has some nice snappy dialog, it's a throwback to some of the films Sheridan did back in her Oomph Girl days at Warner Brothers in the 30s.

What really makes this film work especially in the climax scene at an amusement park in the San Francisco area is the offbeat casting of one of the principal players. Some nice scenic location shooting in the San Francisco area helps as well.

It's B picture shot on a shoestring budget, but it holds up pretty good.