They Won't Believe Me
They Won't Believe Me

They Won't Believe Me

1947Movie95 minEnglish

On trial for murdering his girlfriend, philandering stockbroker Larry Ballentine takes the stand to claim his innocence and describe the actual, but improbable sounding, sequence of events that led to her death.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Irving PichelGenres: Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A womanizer named Larry Ballantine manipulates his way through relationships, ultimately committing murder to escape his marital obligations and financial ruin. He believes he has gotten away with it, but his conscience and the relentless pursuit of justice make his freedom short-lived. The story unfolds as a flashback, revealing the twisted logic and desperate actions that led him to his current predicament.

Critical Reception

The film noir 'They Won't Believe Me' was a moderately successful B-movie that garnered attention for its dark themes and suspenseful plot. While not a critical darling at the time, it has since gained recognition as a solid example of the film noir genre, appreciated for its performances and grim portrayal of a morally bankrupt protagonist.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its compelling noir atmosphere and suspenseful narrative.
  • Robert Young's performance as the manipulative protagonist is a standout.
  • The film effectively explores themes of greed, lust, and the consequences of one's actions.

Google audience: Audience reviews are generally positive, with viewers appreciating the classic film noir elements, the suspenseful plot, and the performances, particularly from Robert Young. The dark and morally ambiguous storyline is often cited as a strong point.

Fun Fact

The film's nonlinear narrative, told primarily through flashbacks narrated by the protagonist, was a common technique in film noir to build suspense and explore the protagonist's flawed psyche.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
JPV852

JPV852

Decent, if not also a bit slow, film noir crime-drama, features some fine performances by Robert Young and Susan Hayward. Had fun with the numerous amounts of irony including ending. Should also note this is the original 95-minute version, ...
John Chard

John Chard

Touched by the hand of God/Satan. They Won't Believe Me is directed by Irving Pichel and adapted to screenplay by Jonathan Latimer from a story by Gordon McDonell. It stars Robert Young, Susan Hayward, Jane Greer and Rita Johnson. Music ...