The darker side of the American dream is explored in the fascinating film noir Pitfall. Dick Powell stars as John Forbes, a successful insurance man with a trophy wife named Sue (Jane Wyatt) and a model child named Tommy (Jimmy Hunt). Despite all that he's achieved in life, Forbes feels somehow unfulfilled. During an attempt to recollect illegally purchased goods by a convicted bank robber, Forbes falls for his glamorous client Mona Stevens (Lizabeth Scott). When she "comes on" to him, it sparks an affair between them. ...
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The darker side of the American dream is explored in the fascinating film noir Pitfall. Dick Powell stars as John Forbes, a successful insurance man with a trophy wife named Sue (Jane Wyatt) and a model child named Tommy (Jimmy Hunt). Despite all that he's achieved in life, Forbes feels somehow unfulfilled. During an attempt to recollect illegally purchased goods by a convicted bank robber, Forbes falls for his glamorous client Mona Stevens (Lizabeth Scott). When she "comes on" to him, it sparks an affair between them. Forbes suffers the pangs of guilt, a fact immediately capitalized upon by the seedy private eye MacDonald (Raymond Burr), who is upset because Mona has rejected him. If adultery has been committed, can murder be far behind? Many individual scenes in Pitfall are standouts, notably a brief moment wherein Forbes' son Tommy suffers a horrible nightmare -- in almost exactly the same manner that child actor Jimmy Hunt would endure a similar bad dream in 1953's Invaders from Mars. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Jane Wyatt, Raymond Burr, John Litel, Lizabeth Scott, Dick Powell. New. 2012 Run time: 85. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
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Seller's Description:
Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott, Jane Wyatt, Raymond Burr, Jimmy Hunt. New in new packaging. Language: English. Run time: 86 mins. Aspect ratio: 1.33: 1. Originally released: 1948.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott, Jane Wyatt, Raymond Burr, Jimmy Hunt. New in new packaging. Language: English. Run time: 86 mins. Aspect ratio: 1.33: 1. Originally released: 1948.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
John Litel, Jane Wyatt, Raymond Burr, Lizabeth Scott, Dick Powell. New. 1948 Run time: 86. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Pitfall is a sleeper. Directed by Andre de Toth, this 1948 film noir was the first release of the small independent producer Regal Films. For many years the film was in danger of being lost. Fortunately the movie was restored in 2015 and has become widely accessible.
The film examines boredom, adultery and guilt in a middle class American family in Los Angeles after WW II. Johnny Forbes (Dick Powell) has a devoted wife, a young son, and a good if uninspiring job with an insurance company. He is bored with the routine of his life. While working on the recovery of stolen property, Johnny meets the smoky-voiced femme fatale Mona Stevens (Lizabeth Scott), One thing quickly leads to another. The trouble is that, in addition to Johnny's marriage, a business associate and private detective, the overweight and clumsy MacDonald (Raymond Burr) has a crush on Mona. She isn't interested.
As the film progresses, Johnny becomes deeper and deeper caught in a trap. He has jeopardized his marriage and his career with his affair and he faces retribution from the angry MacDonald and from Mona's incarcerated boyfriend. The film offers a portrayal of growing internalized guilt together with externalized danger and violence.
The film develops complex characters and explores them from the inside. The acting is convincing, from Powell to the femme fatale to the loyal wife, (Jane Wyatt}. Burr offers an excellent performance of the villainous but awkwardly sad MacDonald, bringing depth and sympathy to the part.
"Pitfall" will appeal to lovers of film noir. I was glad to be able to watch the movie and to benefit from the "Czar of Noir" Eddie Muller's insightful commentary in his Noir Alley series.
![Pitfall [Blu-ray] - André De Toth](https://www1.alibris-static.com/pitfall-blu-ray/cover/w09736dfykp_l.jpg)
![Pitfall [Blu-ray]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/cover/w09736dfykp_t.jpg)
![Pitfall [Blu-ray]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/pitfall-blu-ray/cover/w09736dfykp.jpg)
