Cry Terror by Andrew L. Stone

Director Andrew L. Stone writes another fast-paced suspense story in Cry Terror. His first film for MGM in 1956 was Julie, starring Doris Day as a stewardess pursued by a madman, which he wrote and directed, including the 1956 novel published under his name. In 1958, he wrote, directed, and produced his follow-up, Cry Terror, including this book, which is essentially a novelization. While not stated, most likely these were both published to support the films.

"The bomb is the size of a package of cigarettes. It is planted on one of your planes. It is set to go off in fifteen minutes."

The typed letter sent to Twentieth Century Airlines looks unlike other pranks they receive, and a follow-up call from the extortionist requests $500,000 in non-sequential bills. The flight is en route, and a small bomb is found, detonating when it is thrown outside. The second in the cargo hold is harder to find. Seeing the national news, television repairman James Molnar realizes he was tricked by a friend to make the explosive device, and arrives home to find the man, Paul Hopkin, holding his young wife and five-year-old daughter hostage. Joan is forced to be the ransom courier while her husband and girl are kept captive. If she fails to deliver by the allotted time, they will die. Hopkin's henchmen include benzadrine-popping creep Steve, and Kelly - an evil beauty eager to stab his daughter with a shiv. The FBI are on the case, New York streets saturated with lookouts, they follow her as best they can.

While I was expecting a terror-in-the-sky thriller, it focuses on Joan's harried escape from New York to deliver the cash, followed by a climax set in the underground subway. Originally called (and filmed under the title) The Third Rail, this book is a quick, exciting read. The thrills are sharp with the FBI hot on her trail. Cry Terror was filmed starring James Mason and Rod Steiger, featuring Angie Dickinson as Kelly.

Andrew L. Stone was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the film Julie, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

1958 / Paperback / 128 pages

My other review for Andrew L. Stone:

Julie