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A lovesick loser steals for a femme fatale who'd rather sleep with a counterfeiter. British noir at its nastiest.
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IMDb
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Watch(US)

Once a Sinner (1950)

doomed romancepostwar grimesmall-time tragedy

Overview

Drama

Impoverished British bank clerk John Ross is hopelessly in love with drop-dead gorgeous Irene James. Ross will do anything to win Irene's affections - including embezzlement. She ends up marrying him, but she can't give up her true love, slimy counterfeiter Jimmy Smart...

Flag of GBGB
Content warning
embezzlementbank clerkbritish noir

Standout Aspects

Acting

Pat Kirkwood's Irene—cruel, magnetic, utterly believable.

Direction

Lewis Gilbert's tight 78-minute descent into despair.

Best for:Solo: Rainy afternoon when you want to feel better about your love life.·Streaming: Late-night British noir rabbit hole.
Heads up:Emotional: Crushing ending. John Ross's fate will haunt you.
Lewis Gilbert

Director

Lewis Gilbert

ReleasedJul 1, 1950
Runtime1h 18m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Butcher's Film Service
John Argyle Productions

Top Cast

Pat Kirkwood

Pat Kirkwood

Irene James (as Patricia Kirkwood)

Jack Watling

Jack Watling

John Ross

Joy Shelton

Joy Shelton

Vera Lamb

Sydney Tafler

Sydney Tafler

Jimmy Smart

Thora Hird

Thora Hird

Mrs. James

Humphrey Lestocq

Humphrey Lestocq

Lewis Canfield

Gordon McLeod

Gordon McLeod

Mr. Ross

Edith Sharpe

Edith Sharpe

Mrs. Ross

Harry Fowler

Harry Fowler

Bill James

Danny Green

Danny Green

Ticker James

Charles Paton

Charles Paton

Mr. Lamb

Ask about Once a Sinner

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Lewis Gilbert later directed three Bond films; this early noir shows his knack for morally compromised men.

Cultural

Pat Kirkwood was Britain's highest-paid female star in 1950—her Irene subverted the 'good girl' image that made her famous.

Gallery

Reviews

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