A prim psychology professor fights to hide a murder she committed in self-defense.
Acting
Loretta Young's trembling composure—polished surface, cracking foundation.
Cinematography
Malibu cliffs as moral abyss: beautiful and murderous.
Direction
Dieterle weaponizes 1949 politeness against itself.
Director
William Dieterle
Loretta Young
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
Francis Pierlot
Dr. Vinson
Ann Doran
Miss Rice
Carole Mathews
Waitress
Billy Mauch
Harry Brice
Eric Alden
Detective (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rare noir centering female professional guilt rather than male obsession—Wilma's academic authority makes her panic more subversive.
Young produced this herself; Cummings was her third choice after Cary Grant and Joseph Cotten passed. She reportedly micromanaged her own lighting to maintain 'professorial glamour.'
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