The Accused (1949 film)

Infobox Film
name = The Accused


image_size =
caption = Theatrical poster
director = William Dieterle
producer = Hal B. Wallis
writer = Story: June Truesdell Screenplay: Ketti Frings
narrator =
starring = Loretta Young Robert Cummings Wendell Corey Sam Jaffe
music = Victor Young
cinematography = Milton R. Krasner
editing = Warren Low
distributor = Paramount Pictures
released = January 14, 1949
runtime = 101 minutes
country = United States
language = English
budget =
gross =
website =
amg_id = 1:698
imdb_id = 0040071

"The Accused" (1949) is a American "film noir" directed by William Dieterle and written by Ketti Frings, based on "Be Still, My Love," a novel written by June Truesdell. The drama features Loretta Young, Robert Cummings, Wendell Corey, Sam Jaffe, among others. [imdb title|id=0040071|title=The Accused.]

Plot

Wilma Tuttle (Young) is college professor who arouses the sexual interest of her student Bill Perry (Douglas Dick). When Perry tries to rape Tuttle, she beats him to death with a tire iron. She covers up her crime by making it seem as though Perry was killed while diving into the sea from a precipitous cliff. As she follows the police investigation of Perry's death, Wilma realizes that she'll never be able to escape her conscience, especially when she falls in love with Warren Ford (Robert Cummings), the dead boy's guardian.

Cast

* Loretta Young as Dr. Wilma Tuttle
* Robert Cummings as Warren Ford
* Wendell Corey as Lt. Ted Dorgan
* Sam Jaffe as Dr. Romley
* Douglas Dick as Bill Perry
* Suzanne Dalbert as Susan Duval
* Sara Allgood as Mrs. Conner
* Mickey Knox as Jack Hunter
* George Spaulding as Dean Rhodes
* Francis Pierlot as Dr. Vinson
* Ann Doran as Miss Rice, Nurse
* Carole Mathews as Waitress
* Billy Mauch as Harry Brice

Critical reception

"The New York Times" gave the film a positive review, and wrote, "Murder is a common and salable screen commodity..."The Accused," ...is a super-duper psychological job, well spiced with terminology which sounds impressive, if not always crystal clear in meaning, and the performers go about their business with an earnestness which commands attention. Under William Dieterle's assured direction, the story flows smoothly and methodically builds up suspense to a punchy climax which leaves it to the audience to determine whether the defendant should be punished or go free." [ [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9805E1DE1F38E23BBC4B52DFB7668382659EDE&oref=slogin "The New York Times"] . Film review, "Psychological Murder Drama at Paramount," January 13, 1949. Last accessed: January 7, 2008.]

The staff at "Variety" magazine gave the film a good review. They wrote, "The Accused" exploits fear and emotional violence into a high grade melodrama...Director William Dieterle, with a solid story foundation and an ace cast upon which to build, marches the melodrama along with a touch that keeps punching continually at audience emotions...Loretta Young's portrayal of the distraught professor plays strongly for sympathy. It's an intelligent delineation, gifting the role with life. She gets under the skin in bringing out the mental processes of an intelligent woman who knows she has done wrong but believes that her trail is so covered that murder will never out." [ [http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117796649.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 "Variety"] . Film review, January 13, 1949. Last accessed: January 7, 2008.]

References

External links

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