1952·Thriller·1h 52m
7.2
★
Actor Lester Blaine has all but landed the lead in Myra Hudson's new play when Myra vetoes him because, to her, he doesn't look like a romantic leading man. On a train from New York to San Francisco, Blaine sets out to prove Myra wrong...by romancing her. Is he sincere, or does he have a dark ulterior motive?
Directed by David Miller
san francisco, california
con man
mistaken identity
deceived wife
film noir
playwright
mistress
black and white
writer
heiress
audio recording
older woman younger man relationship
woman in jeopardy
social differences
turning the tables
aspiring actor
perfect murder
fearful wife
revenge thriller
plot twist
woman falls in love
suspect husband
noir thriller
gold diggers
homme fatale
successful playwright
wealthy woman
spousal murder
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Joan Crawford
Myra Hudson Blaine
Jack Palance
Lester Blaine
Gloria Grahame
Irene Neves
Bruce Bennett
Steve Kearney
Virginia Huston
Ann Taylor
Mike Connors
Junior Kearney
Bess Flowers
Party Guest (uncredited)
Harold Miller
Reception Guest (uncredited)
Crew
David Miller
Director
Elmer Bernstein
Original Music Composer
Charles Lang
Director of Photography
Boris Leven
Art Direction
Popular Reviews
51 reviews
Luz
9.0★ · 06/02/26
"Once you've lost your heart to the theatre it's hard to get it back. Besides, I won't take it back, I'm stubborn"
Doors are scary
"Once you've lost your heart to the theatre it's hard to get it back. Besides, I won't take it back, I'm stubborn"
Doors are scary
Rafael
9.0★ · 01/20/26
genuinely geeked a movie of this period, especially in the third act had me in actual suspense that most contemporary films can’t get even a slightly heart rate up from me. shame on the crowds then and now who deemed Joan Crawford just a movie star and not an actress, her eye acting in this would put most of recent acting stars to shame. an unexpected narrative shakeup that started as feeling like an earnest romance shifting to a whole other kind of movie and genre. the best type of classic noir that grabs you from the jump and keeps you pulled closer with it’s twists, gags and surprises. this must’ve been a ride seeing it back in the day.
genuinely geeked a movie of this period, especially in the third act had me in actual suspense that most contemporary films can’t get even a slightly heart rate up from me. shame on the crowds then and now who deemed Joan Crawford just a movie star and not an actress, her eye acting in this would put most of recent acting stars to shame. an unexpected narrative shakeup that started as feeling like an earnest romance shifting to a whole other kind of movie and genre. the best type of classic noir that grabs you from the jump and keeps you pulled closer with it’s twists, gags and surprises. this must’ve been a ride seeing it back in the day.
Brooklyn
8.0★ · 01/18/26
She would've loved Cell Block Tango
She would've loved Cell Block Tango
Mishi Anderson
8.0★ · 01/11/26
joan mf crawford, the artist you are
joan mf crawford, the artist you are
Gabe Jones
10.0★ · 10/16/25
Holy hell this was the surprise first watch of the year for me. Joan Crawford and Jack Palance are playing this movie out perfectly. David Miller blocks out every scene beautifully, you’re not going to watch this movie without being stressed to a hell. Didn’t know how it was going to play out until the last frame. Amazing movie.
Holy hell this was the surprise first watch of the year for me. Joan Crawford and Jack Palance are playing this movie out perfectly. David Miller blocks out every scene beautifully, you’re not going to watch this movie without being stressed to a hell. Didn’t know how it was going to play out until the last frame. Amazing movie.