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It’s got all the dirty fingerprints of a real noir—shadows thick as cigarette smoke, dames in trouble, and heels looking to make a fast buck off somebody else's misery.
It kicks off when Paula Considine (Gale Storm) hits Los Angeles looking for her missing sister. The cops? They don’t care. But a wisecracking newshound named Mark Sitko (Dennis O’Keefe) smells a rat, and soon they’re knee-deep in a baby-smuggling racket run by a smooth operator with ice in his veins, played by the ever-slick Raymond Burr.
He’s got an adoption scam so tight it squeaks, selling newborns like hot merchandise, and anyone who gets in his way winds up floating face-down in the Los Angeles River.
The whole thing plays out in a world where trust is for suckers and mercy is extinct. John Reinhardt directs it lean and nasty, with cinematography dripping in nightmarish chiaroscuro. The action’s fast, the danger’s real, and the streets don’t care who lives or dies.
Abandoned ain’t just a title—it’s a promise.
Abandoned, yes, delves into the unsettling issue of black-market adoptions in Los Angeles, warning that such criminal activities could spread to any American city. The plot follows Paula Considine (Gale Storm), a young woman from Beaver Brook, Pennsylvania, who arrives in L.A. to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her sister, Mary.
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With the help of reporter Mark Sitko (Dennis O'Keefe), Paula uncovers that her sister died of carbon monoxide poisoning after giving birth, though Paula refuses to believe it was suicide. Together, they work to expose the sinister underworld that exploited Mary.
Irwin Gielgud's screenplay for Abandoned reflects an era when newspaper reporters were often portrayed as crucial societal figures. In the film, Mark Sitko, the reporter played by Dennis O'Keefe, is far more helpful to Paula Considine (Gale Storm) than local law enforcement, demonstrating the importance of investigative journalism.
The police show little interest in Paula’s search for her missing sister until Sitko uncovers key information. Director Joseph M. Newman keeps the pace steady, creating a tightly-wound film noir, enhanced by William H. Daniels' stunning black-and-white cinematography. The climactic construction site scene underscores the artistic potential of monochrome imagery, particularly in noir.
The film also benefits from strong performances, notably Raymond Burr as the corrupt private investigator, Kerric, whose torture mirrors his previous villainous roles. Abandoned also marks the start of a long-term contract between Universal and Jeff Chandler, who would go on to star in many films.
Dennis O'Keefe stars as Mark Sitko, a crime reporter in Abandoned, a gritty drama about a black-market baby adoption ring in Los Angeles. Gale Storm plays Paula Considine, a woman searching for her missing sister, who is soon discovered to have been murdered.
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| Dennis O'Keefe in Abandoned (1949) |
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| Raymond Burrr in Abandoned (1949) |
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| Gale Storm in Abandoned (1949) |
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| Jeff Chandler in Abandoned (1949) |
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While Abandoned lacks some of the traditional hallmarks of noir, it still retains many of the genre’s stylistic elements, like shadowy lighting and cynical dialogue. However, Gale Storm's upbeat performance as Paula contrasts with the usual noir female archetype, and the film’s relatively positive conclusion differs from the often bleak endings of classic noir films.
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| Mazurki bends Burr in film noir Abandoned (1949) |
The narrative is based on a story by Irwin Gielgud, and though some plot threads are left unresolved—such as the father’s role and the deeper connections between the characters—it still manages to deliver a suspenseful, semi-documentary thriller.
The film also benefits from a supporting cast that elevates the material, including Raymond Burr as the intimidating Kerric and Marjorie Rambeau as Mrs. Donner, a manipulative baby-snatcher.
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A standout feature of the film is the stark contrast between characters. Paula’s cheerful demeanor contrasts with the sinister figures of the criminal underworld, including Mike Mazurki as Hoppe and Will Kuluva as Little Guy Decola. Burr’s menacing presence is complemented by the eventual comeuppance he receives from an even more intimidating adversary. Burr, who often played brooding villains, shines in this role, adding depth to his character, much like his performances in other noir classics like Raw Deal and Pitfall.
Directed by Joseph M. Newman, who later helmed other noir and thriller films such as 711 Ocean Drive (1950) and the sci-fi adventure This Island Earth (1955), Abandoned reflects the post-war fascination with social issues, in this case, illegal adoptions.
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The film marks the beginning of Jeff Chandler’s career, who plays Chief MacRae in a minor role. Although not a traditional noir, Abandoned succeeds as a tense, atmospheric crime drama, driven by strong performances and engaging cinematography.
Film historian Samm Deighan provides audio commentary, noting how Abandoned reflects social issues like black-market adoptions without judging its pregnant characters. She highlights Paula’s inner strength and the film's nuanced portrayal of marginalized women.
However, Deighan’s commentary is somewhat marred by repetitive language and a mechanical tone, although her research and insights on the film are valuable for newcomers to the genre.
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A key figure in the film is Mrs. Donner (Marjorie Rambeau), a predatory matriarch who uses religious pretense to lure vulnerable women. Her aristocratic facade, reinforced by Rambeau's theatrical presence, hides a deeper weakness, symbolized by her need for a cane. Mrs. Donner is a rare example of a physically compromised femme fatale, manipulating others despite her vulnerability.
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Abandoned is a 1949 crime thriller that tells the story of Paula Considine (Gale Storm), a woman who travels to Los Angeles in search of her missing sister. Her sister left their small town after becoming pregnant out of wedlock, and Paula is determined to find her.
Upon arriving at the missing person’s bureau, Paula meets Mark Sitko (Dennis O’Keefe), a persistent newspaper reporter. Sitko quickly becomes interested in Paula’s case, especially after noticing a shady private investigator, Kerric (Raymond Burr), following her. Together, Sitko and Paula discover that Paula’s sister has been murdered and her baby stolen by a black-market child trafficking ring.
As Sitko and Paula delve deeper into the mystery, they become targets themselves, marked for murder by the gang. The film is a suspenseful blend of crime drama and semi-documentary style, a popular format in the late 1940s.
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Director Joseph M. Newman and cinematographer William H. Daniels utilize stark, noir-like lighting, which gives the film a sinister tone. Though the film uses many classic noir elements, its plot also serves as an exposé on the illicit baby trade, making it feel like a hybrid between a thriller and a documentary.
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One of the film's strengths lies in its strong cast. Gale Storm, who would go on to become a television star, plays the determined and naive Paula, while Dennis O’Keefe brings a cynical edge to the role of Sitko, a character more clean-cut than typical noir protagonists.
Raymond Burr stands out as the corrupt detective Kerric, a role that foreshadows his later success playing villains in film noir before becoming famous for playing Perry Mason. Marjorie Rambeau, as Mrs. Donner, the ringleader of the baby trafficking operation, delivers a memorable performance as the heartless mastermind of the criminal enterprise.
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The film’s social relevance is striking, especially for its time, as it tackles the disturbing issue of black-market adoptions. Though certain plot threads, like the hinted abuse by Paula’s father, are not fully explored due to censorship constraints, the film still provides a sharp critique of the moral decay beneath Los Angeles’ glamorous surface.
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| Car smash stunt in Abandoned (1949) |
Ultimately, Abandoned is an intriguing film that mixes noir elements, social commentary, and crime drama, with striking visuals and an engaging storyline.
This contrasts with the strong, healthy women she victimizes. Alongside Donner are shady characters like "Little Guy" Decola (Will Kuluva) and his enforcer Hoppe (Mike Mazurki), who add to the film’s noir atmosphere. Abandoned explores the darker sides of society, with an emphasis on manipulation, betrayal, and the exploitation of the innocent.
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Abandoned (1949)
Directed by Joseph M. Newman
Genres - Crime, Drama, Romance | Sub-Genres - Film Noir | Release Date - Oct 26, 1949 | Run Time - 79 min.
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| Street noir seeker heroes in Abandoned (1949) |
