The Accused
Drama • Thriller
Theatrical Release (US)
~ Everything points to... the Accused! ~
Overview:
A prim psychology professor fights to hide a murder she committed in self-defense.
Director:
William Dieterle
Status:
Released
Language:
English
Buget:
$0.00
Revenue:
Key words:
Cast
Loretta Young
~ as ~
Dr. Wilma Tuttle
Robert Cummings
Warren Ford
Wendell Corey
Lieut. Ted Dorgan
Sam Jaffe
Dr. Romley
Douglas Dick
Bill Perry
Suzanne Dalbert
Susan Duval
Sara Allgood
Mrs. Conner
Mickey Knox
Jack Hunter
George Spaulding
Dean Rhodes
Francis Pierlot
Dr. Vinson
John Chard
Written 11 year(s) ago
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The Accused is directed by William Dieterle and adapted to screenplay by Ketti Frings from the novel “Be Still, My Love” written by June Truesdell. It stars Loretta Young, Robert Cummings, Wendell Corey, Sam Jaffe and Douglas Dick. Music is by Victor Young and cinematography by Milton R. Krasner.
Wilma Tuttle (Young) is a college professor who is prompted into an act of self defence when one of her students attacks her sexually. The damage done, Wilma covers up her crime and finds her conscience gnawing away at her, especially as she is actively involved in the police investigation…
Good sturdy story is well played out by a good sturdy cast, The Accused makes up for what it lacks in noir visuals with noir infected psychological smarts. Helps that Wilma Tuttle is a strong characterisation in Young’s excellent hands, the whole film hinging on the fact that Wilma’s crime is perfectly understandable to us viewers, she has our sympathy, more so since she has the chance of love with Cumming’s amiable and cunning lawyer.
We follow the police investigation through its various strands of science, with Wilma privy to what is going on as well. This puts a devilish kink to proceedings as Lieutenant Ted Dorgan (Corey) is pretty sure he knows what really happened (an inquest had previously ruled the death as an accident caused whilst diving).
Further spice comes with the knowledge that Dorgan also has the hots for Wilma, thus this puts Wilma in a whirlpool of fear and fret, conscience battering and the amorous attentions of two male suitors, both of whom are intricately bound to the investigation. Plus she’s trying to keep it together at work whilst she’s teaching her students psychology!
It all builds to a good conclusion, which is nicely open ended, to round production out as an entertaining noirish meller. 7/10
