ThrillerDramaMystery

Impact

- Wanted By Two Women! One For Love! One For Murder!

After surviving a murder attempt, an auto magnate goes into hiding so his wife can pay for the crime.

Release Date : 1949-03-20

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Cardinal Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Walter Williams

Original Name : Brian Donlevy

Gender : Male

Character Name : Marsha Peters

Original Name : Ella Raines

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lieutenant Quincy

Original Name : Charles Coburn

Gender : Male

Character Name : Irene Williams

Original Name : Helen Walker

Gender : Female

Character Name : Su Lin

Original Name : Anna May Wong

Gender : Female

Character Name : Captain Callahan

Original Name : Robert Warwick

Gender : Male

Character Name : Darcy

Original Name : Clarence Kolb

Gender : Male

Character Name : Defense Attorney

Original Name : Art Baker

Gender : Male

Character Name : Prosecutor

Original Name : William Wright

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. King

Original Name : Mae Marsh

Gender : Female

Character Name : Sheilah Graham

Original Name : Sheilah Graham

Gender : Female

Character Name : Jim Torrence

Original Name : Tony Barrett

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ah Sing

Original Name : Philip Ahn

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ed

Original Name : Glen Vernon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Telephone Operator

Original Name : Linda Leighton

Gender : Female

Character Name : Judge

Original Name : Jason Robards Sr.

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dr. Henry Bender

Original Name : Erskine Sanford

Gender : Male

Character Name : Apartment Manager

Original Name : Ruth Robinson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Burke

Original Name : Lucius Cooke

Gender : Male

Character Name : Moving Van Driver

Original Name : Tom Greenway

Gender : Male

Character Name : Moving Van Helper

Original Name : Ben Welden

Gender : Male

Character Name : Station Master

Original Name : Hans Herbert

Gender : Male

Character Name : Uncle Ben

Original Name : Joel Friedkin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Hotel Clerk

Original Name : Joe Kirk

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fingerprint Expert

Original Name : William Ruhl

Gender : Male

Character Name : Della

Original Name : Mary Landa

Gender : Male

Character Name : Irene's Attorney

Original Name : Harry Cheshire

Gender : Male

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Gordon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Original Name : Stuart Hall

Gender : Male

Reviews

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Impact, when two things collide. San Francisco industrial supremo Walter Williams survives an attempt on his life by his two-timing wife's lover, whom ironically is badly burned and killed at the scene himself. As the police think that Williams is the badly burned corpse, his wife is arrested and accused of his murder, with Williams hiding out and plotting revenge in the sleepy back water town of Larkspur, Idaho. But even as Williams finds new hope and re-evaluation of his life, he knows he must go back and reveal all about what happened, which is something that may well prove to be his undoing! Impact is directed by Arthur Lubin and stars Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Charles Coburn and Helen Walker. The basic plot and story is certainly nothing new, and I will not list them, but other films such as "The Postman Always Rings Twice" spring to mind immediately upon finishing this smashing and enjoyable piece. However, what is definitely in pic's favour is that it's excellently acted (Donlevy and Raines a delight) and that it manages to bring about the main twist without any aura of inevitability hanging over it. Sitting nicely between film noir and drama, Impact is a film that possibly wouldn't stand up to repeat viewings, yet once viewed I personally feel that it leaves a mark that is most definitely favourable - and I'm not just biased because Ella Raines is stunningly gorgeous here!!! 8/10

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-07-09

This could have been much better had Arthur Lubin not cast the rather wooden, Clark Gable-light Brian Donlevy in the lead role as "Walt Williams", a successful businessman who falls prey to a cunning plot by his scheming wife "Irene" (Helen Walker) and her lover "Jim" (Tony Barrett) to bump him off. When the wrong man comes a cropper, "Walt" keeps his head down in a small Idaho town where he takes up with the local garage owner who needs a decent mechanic. Meantime, able detective "Quincy" (Charles Coburn) has put a strong case together against the wife and as she is about to be put on trial, the new girlfriend "Marsha" (Ella Raines) prevails on "Walt" to return to civilisation and into a maelstrom of legal proceedings. It's just a touch too convoluted, but the last fifteen minutes are quite gripping if a little far fetched. Worth a watch, though, if only for some very classy automobiles.