Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Brian Donlevy | ... | Walter Williams | |
Ella Raines | ... | Marsha Peters | |
Charles Coburn | ... | Lt. Tom Quincy | |
Helen Walker | ... | Irene Williams | |
Anna May Wong | ... | Su Lin Chung | |
Robert Warwick | ... | Capt. Callahan | |
Clarence Kolb | ... | Darcy | |
Art Baker | ... | Eldredge - Defense Attorney | |
William Wright | ... | Prosecutor | |
Mae Marsh | ... | Mrs. King (as Mrs. Peters) | |
Sheilah Graham | ... | Sheila Graham | |
Tony Barrett | ... | Jim Torrence | |
Philip Ahn | ... | Ah Sing | |
Glen Vernon | ... | Ed (as Glenn Vernon) | |
Linda Leighton | ... | Miss Revere - Telephone Operator (as Linda Johnson) |
In San Francisco, the successful self-made businessman Walter Williams has just bought three factories in Denver with the approval of the board of directors. His beloved wife Irene tells him that she is not feeling well enough to travel with him, and asks Walter to give a lift to her cousin Jim Torrance. On the highway, Jim, who is actually Irene's lover, tries to kill Walter hitting his head and throwing him off a cliff, and has a fatal fiery accident while escaping driving Walter's car. Walter is believed to be the driver and later his wife is sent to jail accused of plotting his murder. Meanwhile, the wounded Walter falls asleep in a moving van and eventually winds up in Larkspur, a small town in Idaho. He is hired as a mechanic in a gas station by the owner, Marsha Peters. For three months, Walter reads the news, expecting revenge with Irene sentenced to death, and he and Marsha fall in love for each other. When Walter discloses the truth to Marsha, she convinces him to return to ... Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Although the final third gets in the way and is finally disappointing,it does not keep "impact" from being absorbing and entertaining.One of the rare film noirs -maybe the only one - which takes a look on the brighter side of the road:sandwiched between two very dark parts,the second one has Capra accents:the country town is some Shangri-la where time stood still ,with its very nice people ,the girl who owns a garage but of course does not know anything about mechanics(woman's lib supporters will cringe),the young father proud of his new-born son ,the Sunday service,the old lady cooking tasty little dishes.All of this is unusual in a film noir.Some might say that "shadow of a doubt"(1942) had already that ,but evil could enter this world,as the heroine 's uncle came to town.Here,the evil is elsewhere ,in San Francisco.Only in San Francisco.Or on the dark road where anything can happen:first part is effective,and shows some "Postman always rings twice" (1946) influence.