Cause for Alarm!
Cause for Alarm!

Movie spotlight

Cause for Alarm!

1951
Movie
74 min
English

A bedridden and gravely ill man believes his wife and doctor are conspiring to kill him, and outlines his suspicions in a letter.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Russell TurnerGenres: Film Noir, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A married couple's life takes a dark turn when the husband embecomes money to cover his gambling debts, leading to a desperate plan to fake his own death and escape with his lover. His wife, suspicious of his activities, begins to uncover the truth, setting the stage for a tense confrontation.

Critical Reception

Cause for Alarm! is a lesser-known but effective slice of film noir, praised for its taut suspense and exploration of moral decay within a seemingly ordinary marriage. While not a blockbuster, it's recognized for its solid performances and atmospheric direction within the genre's conventions.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film effectively builds suspense through its noir atmosphere and escalating moral compromises.

  • Performances, particularly from the lead actors, are strong and contribute to the film's dark tone.

  • A compelling, if somewhat predictable, narrative of betrayal and desperation.

Google audience: Audience reception is not widely available for this older film, but it is generally regarded as a solid example of its genre among film enthusiasts.

Fun Fact

The film was produced by the independent Poverty Row studio, Monogram Pictures, which specialized in low-budget genre films.

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