The Reckless Moment (1949)

★★★★★ · The Blank Wall On Film · Gissinglover · 2024-03-25

Elizabeth Sanxay Holding (1889 -- 1955) was a prolific writer of suspense novels, many of which have domestic settings. Her most famous novel, "The Blank Wall" (1947) is included in the first of two volumes of women's crime fiction "Women Crime Writers" Four Suspense Novels of the 1940's and 50's" published by the Library of America and edited by Sarah Wineman. Holding's novel has been filmed twice: first in "The Reckless Moment" (1949), which I am reviewing here, and then as "The Deep End" in 2001. Directed by Max Ophuls and starring Joan Bennett and James Mason, "The Reckless Moment" has…

★★★★★ · WOW….Awesome Movie · 1969nam · 2025-02-25

First class thriller from start to finish. Joan Bennett was spectacular as was James Mason. This movie held my interest from the very start. Beautiful location setting sure beats filming on a studio back lot.

★★★★ · Excellent Noir: Bennett a best, Mason magnificent · venusmoon · 2025-02-10

Excellent Noir: Bennett a best; Mason magnificent Two of my favorite actors from the 1940s Joan Bennett and James Mason together were great energy. Another portrayal of an Irishman - I had to check Mason’s Bio to make sure he was born British. And I had not seen Joan Bennett as a mother (and wife). This is NOT Mildred Pierce, but a gentler, kinder story of a mother protecting her young & inexperienced daughter. The Reckless Moment is about family, a mother's love, a youthful error, the innocence of falling in love and choices (right and wrong) one makes to protect those they love. James Mason…