But not serious

Speaking of The Desperate Hours:

Just because the 1955 crime thriller influenced a good handful of later films doesn't mean it was without its own precedents. Joseph Hayes based the screenplay on his own 1954 play, based on his own 1953 novel, based on a news story from 1952, in which the Hill family of Whitemarsh, PA (they became the Hilliards for purposes of fiction) was held hostage by three ex-cons.

William Wyler's film took notes from previous confined-area hostage drama based-on-a-play efforts, perhaps John Huston's 1948 Key Largo, but certainly Archie Mayo's 1936 Petrified Forest (both starring Humphrey Bogart). Bogart originated the role of Duke Mantee onstage, and when the play was optioned for film, Leslie Howard made sure Bogart kept his part (for which Bogart and Lauren Bacall named a kid Leslie Howard Bogart). Mantee onscreen was Bogart's big break, and he'd later refer to his Desperate Hours portrayal of Glenn Griffin as "Duke Mantee grown up." Bogart would reprise the role once more, opposite wife Lauren Bacall, in a live color telecast for NBC's Producers' Showcase in May of 1955, five months before The Desperate Hours hit theaters.

Desperate Hours-inspired cinema discussion is probably incomplete without a mention of Desperate Hours, Michael Cimino's 1990 remake. Aside from dropping the antiquated definite article from the title, Cimino changed the story up a bit and put Mickey Rourke in the role of the escaping crook, barging in on the Cornells (Anthony Hopkins, Mimi Rogers, and kids) until his accomplices can straighten things out. Remember thinking fairly well of it (additional note: other than as 'Shoe Store Cop' in the great Max Dugan Returns, it was my first exposure to the enjoyable David Morse) but that was 15 years ago.

There's a listing for a Five Desperate Hours, a 1997 (October 5, 42 years to the day from The Desperate Hours' New York premiere) made-for-TV movie (again, NBC) with a similar point of origin – here, petty crook Giancarlo Esposito finds himself on the run and busting into the home of housewife Sharon Lawrence, adding a racial dynamic and whittling it down to a one-on-one discussion as the SWAT team waits outside. Don't do it, Giancarlo! That run on Homicide is right around the corner!