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The Reckless Moment

  • 1949
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
CrimeDramaFilm-Noir

After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.

  • Director
    • Max Ophüls
  • Writers
    • Henry Garson
    • Robert Soderberg
    • Mel Dinelli
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Joan Bennett
    • Geraldine Brooks
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    5.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Max Ophüls
    • Writers
      • Henry Garson
      • Robert Soderberg
      • Mel Dinelli
    • Stars
      • James Mason
      • Joan Bennett
      • Geraldine Brooks
    • 67User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos30

    The Reckless Moment (1949)
    James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    Geraldine Brooks in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    James Mason and Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)
    Joan Bennett in The Reckless Moment (1949)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Martin Donnelly
    Joan Bennett
    Joan Bennett
    • Lucia Harper
    Geraldine Brooks
    Geraldine Brooks
    • Beatrice 'Bea' Harper
    Henry O'Neill
    Henry O'Neill
    • Tom Harper
    Shepperd Strudwick
    Shepperd Strudwick
    • Ted Darby
    David Bair
    • David Harper
    Roy Roberts
    Roy Roberts
    • Nagel
    Jessie Arnold
    Jessie Arnold
    • Old Lady
    • (uncredited)
    Al Bain
    Al Bain
    • Man
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Baker
    • Man
    • (uncredited)
    Pat Barton
    Pat Barton
    • Receptionist
    • (uncredited)
    Holger Bendixen
    • Man
    • (uncredited)
    Gail Bonney
    Gail Bonney
    • Woman
    • (uncredited)
    Chet Brandenburg
    Chet Brandenburg
    • Department Store Customer
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Brocco
    Peter Brocco
    • Pete - Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    Paul E. Burns
    Paul E. Burns
    • Desk Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    John Butler
    John Butler
    • Pawnbroker
    • (uncredited)
    Kathryn Card
    Kathryn Card
    • Mrs. Loring
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Max Ophüls
    • Writers
      • Henry Garson
      • Robert Soderberg
      • Mel Dinelli
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Mason said that after Columbia refused to give director Max Ophüls the permission to light simultaneously two large and separate sets, and to allow a long dolly shot from one place to the other, he thought that "Ophüls could not smile anymore from this day."
    • Goofs
      During Lucia's motorboat ride to dump Ted Darby's dead body, just before she passes under a road bridge, the frothy bubbling wake in front of Lucia's speedboat can clearly be seen, which could only be coming from the vessel carrying the film crew and camera.
    • Quotes

      Martin: Hell is other people...

    • Connections
      Featured in Maternal Overdrive (2006)

    User reviews67

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Blackmail, murder, and dark secrets
    An unusual film, this slow-burner starring Joan Bennett and James Mason seems like a straight-forward murder and blackmail case, but that's only part of the story. Joan Bennett is the mother living apart from her husband (he's working away), and coping with her growing son and daughter, and their maid. James Mason is an Irish low-life, who hopes to make money from Bennett's family misfortunes.

    From the start, where we see the 'murder' and find out what really happened, to the startling ending, this film, directed by Max Ophüls, grips. Aside from the two leads, Geraldine Brooks is good as the teenage daughter struggling with a lost love affair and the hormonal rage of puberty; and Kathryn Card is suitably condescending as she refuses to loan money to the increasingly desperate Bennett.

    'The Reckless Moment' has a frisson of noir, and a strong script. It is a minor film, certainly, but a rewarding one.
    helpful•19
    4
    • didi-5
    • Jan 22, 2005

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 9, 1949 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Blank Wall
    • Filming locations
      • Balboa, Newport Beach, California, USA(I)
    • Production company
      • Walter Wanger Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $882,653 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 22 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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