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Never Fear
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Wikipedia article
'Never Fear' is a 1950 American drama film directed and co-written by Ida Lupino, and produced by Lupino and Collier Young.
The film is also known as 'The Young Lovers'.
Plot summary
Carol Williams is a beautiful young dancer with a promising career who is crippled by polio. Her dance partner and fianc Guy Richards wants to see her through her illness, but Carol prefers to endure her recovery alone. Carol's father takes her to the Kabat-Kaiser Institute for rehabilitation, where she meets fellow patients in recovery. By allowing others to share her grief, Carol is able to pull herself together and go on with her life.
Cast
*Sally Forrest as Carol Williams
*Keefe Brasselle as Guy Richards
*Hugh O'Brian as Len Randall
*Eve Miller as Phyllis Townsend
*Lawrence Dobkin as Dr. Middleton
* Rita Lupino as Josie
*Herb Butterfield as Walter Williams
*Kevin O'Morrison as Red Dawson
* Stanley Waxman as Dr. Taylor
*Jerry Hausner as Mr. Brownlee
* John Franco as Carlos
Production
Lupino had contracted polio in 1934 and suffered the same fevers and pains as does the Carol Williams character, and she also faced the same dark thoughts and fear that she would not walk again. Lupino's major symptoms persisted for only a brief period of time, leaving her with minor problems in her leg and hand. She remained a supporter of causes to fight the disease, and 'Never Fear' was released in 1949 at the height of the polio fear and outbreak.
The rehabilitation scenes were shot at the Kabat-Kaiser Institute in Santa Monica, California. Many of the actors used were actual rehab patients at the institute, and a scene depicting a wheelchair square dance featured a group of real wheelchair dancers.
Reception
The film was not popular because of its subject matter and did not turn a profit for Filmakers, Lupino's production company.
A 'Variety' review stated: "As written by Ida Lupino and Collier Young, the screenplay was psychologically sound in dealing with the emotional ups and downs of polio victims, and it is equally convincing as a documentary of treatment with effective shots of physical therapy."Donati, William, Ida Lupino a Biography, c 1966 p168
Soundtrack
*"Why Pretend" (Written by John Franco)
*"Guaymas" (Written by Franco and William Earley)
References
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