# Portrait in Black > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Portrait_in_Black > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Portrait_in_Black.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_in_Black > Source revision: 1352109856 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1960 American film by Michael Gordon Portrait in Black Theatrical release cover Directed by Michael Gordon Screenplay by Ivan Goff Ben Roberts Based on Portrait in Black by Ivan Goff Ben Roberts Produced by Ross Hunter Starring Lana Turner Anthony Quinn Sandra Dee John Saxon Lloyd Nolan Ray Walston Richard Basehart Cinematography Russell Metty Edited by Milton Carruth Music by Frank Skinner Production company Ross Hunter Productions Inc. Distributed by Universal Pictures Release dates June 23, 1960 (1960-06-23) (Chicago) June 28, 1960 (1960-06-28) (Los Angeles) July 27, 1960 (1960-07-27) (New York City) Running time 112 minutes[1] Country United States Language English Budget $1.4 million[2] Box office $9.2 million[2] ***Portrait in Black*** is a 1960 American [neo-noir](/source/Neo-noir) [melodrama film](/source/Melodrama#Film)[1][3] directed by [Michael Gordon](/source/Michael_Gordon_(film_director)), and starring [Lana Turner](/source/Lana_Turner) and [Anthony Quinn](/source/Anthony_Quinn). Produced by [Ross Hunter](/source/Ross_Hunter), the film was adapted from the play of the same title by [Ivan Goff](/source/Ivan_Goff) and [Ben Roberts](/source/Ben_Roberts_(writer)), who also wrote the screenplay. The film was distributed by [Universal-International](/source/Universal-International). This was the final film appearance by actress [Anna May Wong](/source/Anna_May_Wong).[1] ## Plot Matthew S. Cabot, an ailing shipping magnate, watches his fleet sail across the [San Francisco Bay](/source/San_Francisco_Bay). As he dictates to his secretary Miss Lee, Matthew calls for his wife Sheila and his personal physician David Rivera, who administers an injection to ease the pain. As Sheila listens, Matthew asks David about a new position he is considering at a [Zurich](/source/Zurich) hospital. After David leaves, Matthew scolds Sheila for her "love deficiency" and requests she no longer pursues a [driver's permit](/source/Driver's_permit). Sheila leaves the mansion, having not done so in three days. She sneaks out of a department store to visit David at his apartment. There, David tells Sheila he is leaving for Zurich tomorrow night so he can avoid fantasizing about murdering Matthew. Sheila bids him farewell, but the next day, David arrives and they fatally inject Matthew. Outside, Sheila's stepdaughter Cathy sails with her boyfriend Blake Richards, whose father's company became bankrupt by Matthew. As they embrace each other, they learn that Matthew has died. After Matthew's funeral, Sheila experiences nightmares and phones David, who calms her down. Despite his better judgment, David plans to visit her once more. The next morning, Matthew's former business partner Howard Mason meets with Sheila to sign paperwork dissolving a business contract with Blake's business. As she signs, Howard pleads for his love with Sheila, though she rejects him. Inside Howard's office, Blake confronts him, where Howard has Miss Lee falsely state that Matthew never made a contract. Blake vows to fight back. Meanwhile, David arrives at Sheila's mansion. Before he leaves, Sheila opens a handwritten note congratulating her for murdering Matthew. They meet later in a park where they learn the letter was postmarked from [Carmel](/source/Carmel-by-the-Sea%2C_California) the previous Monday. David confides to Sheila they must find who wrote the note and kill them. Elsewhere, at a restaurant, Miss Lee meets with Cathy and Blake to confess that Howard did destroy the contract. On her way to David's office, Sheila's driver Cobb requests a raise on his salary, in which Sheila perceives as blackmail. Suddenly, Howard calls Sheila at David's office and infers she and David are lovers. They speculate Howard is blackmailing them and the letter was sent from the [Pebble Beach golf course](/source/Pebble_Beach_Golf_Links). Later that night, Howard shares drinks with Sheila and leaves. From inside the mansion, Sheila signals for David to shoot Howard as he drives away but David misses. Howard returns to Sheila and easily deduces their murder attempt. Howard assaults Sheila and attempts to strike her with a fire poker, but David bursts in and fatally shoots him. To cover their crime, David places Howard's body inside his car. David instructs Sheila to drive his car, and when they stop along the highway, David uses his car to push Howard's car onto the cliffs of [Half Moon Bay](/source/Half_Moon_Bay%2C_California). Sheila screams in horror. As the police investigate Howard's murder, they interrogate and detain Blake. Sheila is questioned while her youngest son Peter tells Cathy he had overheard Howard yelling at Sheila the night before. Cathy goes to David's office, where she believes Sheila killed Howard. David tries to convince Cathy otherwise that because Sheila cannot drive, she could not have murdered Howard and dumped the body. Back at Sheila's mansion, she receives another congratulatory letter of her second murder. Consumed with guilt, David quits his job at the hospital. He heads over to the mansion where David forces Cobb to confess that Sheila had written the letters. Sheila tearfully explains she used the letters to manipulate David into staying and now they can start a new life together. Cathy walks in, having listened on their conversation. She tries to call the police, but she rushes upstairs as David chases her. As Blake drives by, Cathy calls for him and she walks onto the roof, followed by David. Sheila calls out for him, but David falls off the roof and dies. ## Cast - [Lana Turner](/source/Lana_Turner) as Sheila Cabot - [Anthony Quinn](/source/Anthony_Quinn) as Dr. David Rivera - [Richard Basehart](/source/Richard_Basehart) as Howard Mason - [Sandra Dee](/source/Sandra_Dee) as Cathy Cabot - [John Saxon](/source/John_Saxon) as Blake Richards - [Ray Walston](/source/Ray_Walston) as Cobb - [Virginia Grey](/source/Virginia_Grey) as Miss Lee - [Anna May Wong](/source/Anna_May_Wong) as Tawny - [Lloyd Nolan](/source/Lloyd_Nolan) as Matthew S. Cabot - [John Wengraf](/source/John_Wengraf) as Dr. Kessler - [Paul Birch](/source/Paul_Birch_(actor)) as Detective Lieutenant - Elizabeth Chan as Chinese Dancer - Dennis Kohler as Peter Cabot - John McNamara as Minister - George Womack as Foreman ## Production *Portrait in Black* originated from a play that had premiered in London at the [Piccadilly Theatre](/source/Piccadilly_Theatre) in 1946. It had a short run on Broadway the following year. The playwrights, Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts, had worked on it for 13 months.[4][5] During its Broadway run, the trade magazine *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))* felt the play was "much too conventional, and it's not easy to believe that its mannerly characters have a flair for homicide."[6] The film rights were sold almost immediately to Universal Pictures for a reported $100,000 against a sliding percentage of the gross to reach a maximum of 15 percent, which totaled $2.5 million.[7] A clause was added that if a film was not released by June 30, 1950, the rights would revert to the authors and they would keep the $100,000. [Diana Wynyard](/source/Diana_Wynyard) appeared in the London production and her husband [Carol Reed](/source/Carol_Reed) was going to direct the film version.[8] However, he disagreed with Universal about how best to adapt it. Another director, Michael Gordon, encountered similar difficulties. In 1948, Goff approached Universal to buy the project back but balked at the studio's demand for $316,000. When the June 30, 1950 deadline passed, the project reverted to the authors. They tried finance the film with Michael Gordon and [Joan Crawford](/source/Joan_Crawford).[9] Michael Gordon felt the original play was "well-contrived, well-made... I thought it was dramatic literature, but not what I would call a monument in dramatic literature. It was interesting but not something that made my heart leap with joy and ecstasy. I didn't enjoy doing the picture at all."[10] Gordon stated Lana Turner gave a "serviceable performance". He also added "Lana was not a dummy, and she would give me wonderful rationalizations why she should wear pendant earrings. They had nothing to do with the role, but they had to do with her particular self-image. I felt we might have done better to concentrate on areas of her ability. If we had, hers might have been a more gripping kind of performance."[10] *Portrait in Black* was filmed on location in San Francisco, including a sequence at the [Devil's Slide](/source/Devil's_Slide_(California)) on the [Pacific Coast Highway](/source/Pacific_Coast_Highway_(California)) (State Route 1).[11] It was the last of three screen collaborations between Sandra Dee and John Saxon.[12] ## Reception ### Box office *Portrait in Black* earned $3,600,000 in [theatrical rentals](/source/Theatrical_rental) in the United States and Canada.[13] ### Critical reaction The film was not well received by film critics.[14] [A. H. Weiler](/source/A._H._Weiler) of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* wrote: "Despite the efforts of high-priced, popular and decorative artisans, *Portrait in Black* is hardly a work of art. It moves fitfully against colorful San Francisco backgrounds, its glossy, manufactured figures dulled by anguished infidelity superficial suspense and dialogue remenscient of confession magazines. For all its polish and [Eastman color](/source/Eastmancolor), this is a lackluster 'portrait' that is contrived rather than inspired."[15] *[Harrison's Reports](/source/Harrison's_Reports)* called the film "A poor murder-suspense melodrama for its lavish, Eastman-colored, star-studded size ... The feature never really comes alive. Suspense is missing because the audience doesn't care."[16] *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))* criticized the screenplay as a "contrived murder melodrama with psychological character interplay that is more psycho than logical ... The screenplay is incomplete and frequently preposterous but Michael Gordon's direction must be considered at least an equal partner in the deficiencies of the enterprise."[17] ## Radio adaptation *Portrait in Black* was presented on *[Theatre Guild on the Air](/source/The_United_States_Steel_Hour#Theatre_Guild_on_the_Air)* on March 2, 1952. The one-hour adaptation starred [Barbara Stanwyck](/source/Barbara_Stanwyck) and [Richard Widmark](/source/Richard_Widmark).[18] ## Home media *Portrait in Black* was released on [DVD](/source/DVD) in [Region 1](/source/DVD_region_code#1) as a Lana Turner double feature with *[Madame X](/source/Madame_X_(1966_film))* by [Universal Studios Home Entertainment](/source/Universal_Studios_Home_Entertainment) on February 5, 2008. It was released on [Blu-ray](/source/Blu-ray) by [Kino Lorber](/source/Kino_International_(company)) on May 28, 2019.[19] ## See also - [List of American films of 1960](/source/List_of_American_films_of_1960) ## References ### Notes 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AFI_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AFI_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AFI_1-2) ["*Portrait in Black* (1960)"](https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/53252). *[AFI Catalog of Feature Films](/source/AFI_Catalog_of_Feature_Films)*. [American Film Institute](/source/American_Film_Institute). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ross_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ross_2-1) Glenn, Larry (January 26, 1964). ["Hollywood 'Rich': Tested Blueprint Used For Romantic Comedy"](https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/26/archives/hollywood-rich-tested-blueprint-used-for-romantic-comedy.html). *The New York Times*. p. X13. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Rich, Nathaniel](/source/Nathaniel_Rich_(novelist)) (2005). *San Francisco Noir: The City in Film Noir from 1940 to the Present*. [New York Review Books](/source/New_York_Review_Books). p. 105. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-892-14530-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-892-14530-7). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Obituary, Ivan Goff"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-ivan-goff-1122786.html). *The Independent*. September 28, 1999. Retrieved July 29, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Portrait In Black"](http://www.ibdb.com/show.php?id=7193). *Internet Broadway Database*. Retrieved July 29, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Plays on Broadway"](https://archive.org/details/variety166-1947-05/page/n187). *Variety*. May 21, 1947. p. 60 – via Internet Archive. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Big Royalties for Australian Playwright in USA"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22403989). *[The Argus](/source/The_Argus_(Melbourne))*. Melbourne. January 23, 1947. p. 5. Retrieved July 29, 2013 – via National Library of Australia. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Schallert, Edwin (September 8, 1946). "British Launch Hollywood Invasion: Major Production Companies Involved". *Los Angeles Times*. Part III, p. 1. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Brady, Thomas F. (January 28, 1951). ["They're The Tops: Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman Winners In International Popularity Poll Scenarists' Demands Of Men and Religion Profitable Deal Arctic War"](https://www.nytimes.com/1951/01/28/archives/theyre-the-tops-gregory-peck-and-jane-wyman-winners-in.html). *The New York Times*. p. X5. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-davis_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-davis_10-1) Davis, Ronald L. (2005). *Just Making Movies*. University Press of Mississippi. p. 119. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-578-06690-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-578-06690-2). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Portrait in Black"](https://reelsf.com/portrait-in-black-1960/). *Reels SF*. Retrieved July 29, 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-filmink_12-0)** Vagg, Stephen (July 29, 2020). "The Top Twelve Stages of Saxon". *Filmink*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Rental Potentials of 1960"](https://archive.org/stream/variety221-1961-01#page/n46/mode/1up). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. January 4, 1961. p. 47. Retrieved February 9, 2021 – via [Archive.org](/source/Archive.org). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Arneel, Gene (August 10, 1960). ["New Hard Look at Film Critics And Their Relationship To B.O."](https://archive.org/stream/variety219-1960-08#page/n66/mode/1up) *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. p. 3. Retrieved February 9, 2021 – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Weiler, A. H. (July 28, 1960). ["Screen: Lusterless 'Portrait in Black'"](https://www.nytimes.com/1960/07/28/archives/lana-turner-stars-in-film-at-2-theatres.html). *The New York Times*. p. 19. Retrieved April 25, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["'Portrait in Black' with Lana Turner, Anthony Quinn, Sandra Dee and John Saxon"](https://archive.org/details/harrisonsreports42harr/page/n117/mode/1up). *Harrison's Reports*. June 25, 1960. p. 102. Retrieved April 25, 2026 – via Internet Archive. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Film Reviews: Portrait in Black"](https://archive.org/details/variety219-1960-06/page/n85/mode/1up). *Variety*. June 8, 1960. pp. 6, 15. Retrieved April 25, 2026 – via Internet Archive. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Kirby, Walter (March 2, 1952). ["Better Radio Programs for the Week"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2507023/the_decatur_daily_review/). *The Decatur Daily Review*. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 42. Retrieved May 28, 2015 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Portrait in Black Blu-ray"](https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Portrait-in-Black-Blu-ray/235491/). *BluRay.com*. Retrieved June 6, 2019. ### Bibliography - Schwartz, Ronald (2005). [*Neo-Noir: The New Film Noir Style from Psycho to Collateral*](https://archive.org/details/neonoirnewfilmno0000schw/). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 127. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-810-85676-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-810-85676-9). ## External links - [*Portrait In Black*](https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/53252) at the *[AFI Catalog of Feature Films](/source/AFI_Catalog_of_Feature_Films)* - [*Portrait In Black*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054197/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [*Portrait In Black*](https://web.archive.org/web/1/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/86960/enwp) at the [TCM Movie Database](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies#TCMdb) (archived) - [*Portrait In Black* film scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZBswWTZtBQ) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier)) v t e Films directed by Michael Gordon Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942) Underground Agent (1942) One Dangerous Night (1943) Crime Doctor (1943) The Web (1947) Another Part of the Forest (1948) An Act of Murder (1948) The Lady Gambles (1949) Woman in Hiding (1950) Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) I Can Get It for You Wholesale (1951) The Secret of Convict Lake (1951) Pillow Talk (1959) Portrait in Black (1960) Boys' Night Out (1962) For Love or Money (1963) Move Over, Darling (1963) A Very Special Favor (1965) Texas Across the River (1966) How Do I Love Thee? (1970) v t e Films produced by Ross Hunter Take Me to Town (1953) All I Desire (1953) Tumbleweed (1953) Taza, Son of Cochise (1954) Naked Alibi (1954) Magnificent Obsession (1954) The Yellow Mountain (1954) All That Heaven Allows (1955) The Spoilers (1955) Captain Lightfoot (1955) One Desire (1955) There's Always Tomorrow (1956) Battle Hymn (1957) My Man Godfrey (1957) Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) Interlude (1957) The Restless Years (1958) Imitation of Life (1959) This Happy Feeling (1959) A Stranger in My Arms (1959) Pillow Talk (1959) Midnight Lace (1960) Portrait in Black (1960) Back Street (1961) Tammy Tell Me True (1961) Flower Drum Song (1961) If a Man Answers (1962) Tammy and the Doctor (1963) The Thrill of It All (1963) The Chalk Garden (1964) I'd Rather Be Rich (1964) The Art of Love (1965) Madame X (1966) The Pad and How to Use It (1966) Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) Rosie! (1967) Airport (1970) Lost Horizon (1973) The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975) A Family Upside Down (1978) Suddenly, Love (1978) The Best Place to Be (1979) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Portrait in Black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_in_Black) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_in_Black?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.