Hollow Triumph (1948)

Pursued by the big-time gambler he robbed, John Muller takes a new identity, with ironic results.

Directors:

Steve Sekely, Paul Henreid (uncredited)

Writers:

Daniel Fuchs (screenplay), Murray Forbes (based upon a novel by)

Stars:

Paul Henreid, Joan Bennett, Eduard Franz

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paul Henreid	...	John Muller / Dr. Bartok
Joan Bennett	...	Evelyn Hahn
Eduard Franz	...	Frederick Muller
Leslie Brooks	...	Virginia Taylor
John Qualen	...	Swangron
Mabel Paige	...	Charwoman
Herbert Rudley	...	Marcy
Charles Arnt	...	Coblenz
George Chandler	...	Aubrey - Assistant
Sid Tomack	...	Artell - Manager
Alvin Hammer	...	Jerry
Ann Staunton	...	Blonde
Paul E. Burns	...	Clerk (as Paul Burns)
Charles Trowbridge	...	Deputy
Morgan Farley	...	Howard Anderson

Storyline

John Muller, medical school dropout and brilliant crook, plans a holdup which goes a little bit wrong, and finds vindictive gambler Rocky Stansyck after him. At the end of his tether, he stumbles onto a lucky chance to assume an impenetrable new identity as psychiatrist Victor Bartok. But irony piles on as Muller finds it's out of the frying pan, into the fire.

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Plot Keywords:

independent film | scar on face | impersonation | damsel in distress | held at gunpoint | 

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Taglines:

The Story of a Man Who Murdered Himself and Lived to Regret It!!!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 1949 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The Man Who Murdered Himself

Filming Locations:

Hotel Belmont, 251 S. Hill St., Bunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bryan Foy Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Jack Webb.

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Goofs

The position of the file that John Muller was reading in Dr. Bartok's office file cabinet changes position between shots.

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Quotes

[regaining her composure after mistakenly kissing Muller, thinking he was Dr. Bartok]
Evelyn Hahn: What can I do for you?
John Muller: What more could any reasonable man ask?

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Soundtracks

Blue Danube Waltz
(uncredited)
Written by Johann Strauss
Whistled by Muller's workmate at the garage

User Reviews

Zingy Noir With A Pulpy Ending

Lovers of noir will want to check this unusual entry featuring Casablanca's Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid) in a rare heavy role. One of those cautionary tales which amply illustrates how it's often better to stay on your own shabby lawn than to traipse across the seemingly greener grass of the neighbors. A tad slow at times but it builds to the nice and twisty (if inevitable) climax.