Ann Savage
Ann Savage was an American film and television actress known for her work in film noir during the 1940s. She was born as Bernice Maxine Lyon on February 19, 1921, in Columbia, South Carolina, and grew up in Los Angeles, California.
Savage began her career in the entertainment industry as a teenager, working as a model and appearing in various stage productions. She made her film debut in the 1943 musical comedy "Something to Shout About." However, it was her role as the femme fatale Vera in the 1945 film "Detour" that would become her most iconic performance.
"Detour" is considered a classic of film noir and Savage's portrayal of the manipulative and dangerous Vera made her a memorable figure in the genre. She brought a unique intensity to her performances, often playing complex and morally ambiguous characters. Savage's talent for playing hard-boiled women with sharp tongues and fierce personalities earned her the nickname "The Queen of the B's."
Despite her talent and success in film noir, Savage's career did not reach the same heights as some of her contemporaries. She worked primarily in B-movies and low-budget productions throughout the 1940s. As the film industry shifted in the 1950s, Savage transitioned to television, where she made appearances in shows such as "Perry Mason," "The Twilight Zone," and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."
In the 1980s, Savage experienced a resurgence in her career when "Detour" was rediscovered and gained a cult following. She began attending film festivals and making appearances, reconnecting with fans who appreciated her contributions to the film noir genre.
Ann Savage continued to work in film and television sporadically until the early 2000s. She made her final screen appearance in the 2007 film "The Grudge 2." On December 25, 2008, Savage passed away at the age of 87 in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of the memorable actresses of the film noir era.
Savage began her career in the entertainment industry as a teenager, working as a model and appearing in various stage productions. She made her film debut in the 1943 musical comedy "Something to Shout About." However, it was her role as the femme fatale Vera in the 1945 film "Detour" that would become her most iconic performance.
"Detour" is considered a classic of film noir and Savage's portrayal of the manipulative and dangerous Vera made her a memorable figure in the genre. She brought a unique intensity to her performances, often playing complex and morally ambiguous characters. Savage's talent for playing hard-boiled women with sharp tongues and fierce personalities earned her the nickname "The Queen of the B's."
Despite her talent and success in film noir, Savage's career did not reach the same heights as some of her contemporaries. She worked primarily in B-movies and low-budget productions throughout the 1940s. As the film industry shifted in the 1950s, Savage transitioned to television, where she made appearances in shows such as "Perry Mason," "The Twilight Zone," and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."
In the 1980s, Savage experienced a resurgence in her career when "Detour" was rediscovered and gained a cult following. She began attending film festivals and making appearances, reconnecting with fans who appreciated her contributions to the film noir genre.
Ann Savage continued to work in film and television sporadically until the early 2000s. She made her final screen appearance in the 2007 film "The Grudge 2." On December 25, 2008, Savage passed away at the age of 87 in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of the memorable actresses of the film noir era.
Quotes:
"No one would wish to be remembered for things like Two-Man Submarine (1944) or Saddles and Sagebrush (1943), which were typical of the kind of pictures I did. The part in Detour (1945) seemed like the opportunity every actress longs for. When I first read the script by Martin Goldsmith, I knew that I was going to be part of something very exciting."
[about director William Berke, with whom she made several pictures] ["He had] a round face, but wasn't fat--nor was he too thin. A gentle man who spoke quietly. A nice, lovely man who wore glasses--he wasn't tall or short, probably around 5'8" or 5'9". Nicely built and a nice face."
[on Tom Neal, her co-star in Detour (1945) and several previous films] "He was a troublemaker, the only one I had problems with in all the years I was in movies. He would go out of his way to rub you the wrong way! Otherwise, he could be charming. He was like two different people. He wore lifts, otherwise I'd be taller than he was; and those hairstyles made me seem taller, anyway. I was 5'4¾" tall and Tom was about the same, as was Don 'Red' Barry, for that matter. Tom embarrassed me once. He had some buddies with him. I was standing there as they were lighting me for the next scene. He came into the scene, saying he had something to tell me. I leaned over and he stuck his tongue in my ear. I hit him as hard as I could! I slapped him with my hand open! I was a tough little kid and could take care of myself. I was so angry and humiliated I naturally reacted by hitting him. He staggered back, and I immediately left the set, so I didn't see his reaction, be it anger or whatever. Later, when we worked together, there was no talk at all----just did our scenes together and that was it. We stayed apart and never spoke."
- Ann Savage
Trivia:
In May of 2007 Time Magazine called her walking nightmare portrayal of Vera in Detour (1945) one of the Top "10 All-Time Best Villains", included alongside James Cagney in White Heat (1949) Robert Mitchum in Cape Fear (1962) and Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator (1984).
Warner Bros. briefly considered John Garfield to play the lead opposite Ann in Detour (1945). Tom Neal was cast when Poverty Row studio Producers Releasing Corp. (PRC) bought the script by Martin Goldsmith.
Warner Bros. briefly considered John Garfield to play the lead opposite Ann in Detour (1945). Tom Neal was cast when Poverty Row studio Producers Releasing Corp. (PRC) bought the script by Martin Goldsmith.
