Shockproof (1949)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(199 ratings)

Beauty contest winner Patricia Knight's one bid for screen stardom was Columbia's Shockproof. Knight plays Jenny Wright, a convicted murderess paroled in the care of probation officer Griff Marat (Cornel Wilde). What begins as an aloof professional relationship eventually blossoms into romance. The… More Beauty contest winner Patricia Knight's one bid for screen stardom was Columbia's Shockproof. Knight plays Jenny Wright, a convicted murderess paroled in the care of probation officer Griff Marat (Cornel Wilde). What begins as an aloof professional relationship eventually blossoms into romance. The fly in the ointment is shady Harry Wesson (John Baragrey), the gambler who inveigled Jenny into committing murder. The girl is torn between creature comforts offered her by Wesson and the promise of a clean life offered by Griff. This early Douglas Sirk effort contains a smattering of the stylistic touches which distinguished his later work.The screenplay was written by famed director Samuel Fuller, known for his gritty realism and hard-boiled style. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: Douglas Sirk
Written By: Samuel Fuller, Helen Deutsch
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1949 Wide
On DVD: Oct 27, 2009

Critic Reviews

J. Hoberman, Village Voice
A cheap 79-minute time-waster that's all business ...
Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times
While Shockproof will inspire more groans than gasps, it's essential viewing for fans of Mr. Fuller and Mr. Sirk.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Well done mixture of romance and film noir.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Captivating.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... a minor noir with Fuller's tabloid sensibility and Sirk's romantic gloss, directed with an economy that makes the most of its modest budget.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
In his own way, Sirk was as good a director as Fuller; here he emphasizes the complex, intense emotions of the lead characters, which helps guide the film over some of its plot hurdles.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A hamstrung potboiler.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Given its poetic nuances, it's a shame the film succumbs to cliché.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Cast

            Cornel Wilde as Graff Marat

            Patricia Knight as Jenny Marsh

            John Baragrey as Harry Wesson

            Esther Minciotti as Mrs. Marat

            Howard St. John as Sam Brooks parole officer

            Russell Collins as Frederick Bauer

            Charley Bates as Tommy Marat

            Gilbert Barnett as Barry

            Frank Jaquet as Monte

            Ann Shoemaker as Dr. Daniels

            King Donovan as Joe Wilson

            Claire Carleton as Florie Kobiski

            Al Eben as Joe Kobiski

            Richard Benedict as "Kid"

            Cliff Clark as Police Lieutenant

            Virginia Farmer as Mrs. Terrence

            Charles Jordan as Hot Dog Man

            Jimmy Lloyd as Clerk

            Charles Marsh as Manager

            Arthur Space as Police Inspector

            Bob Stephenson as Drunk

            Buddy Swan as Teenage Boy

            Crane Whitley as Foreman

            Isabel Withers as Switchboard Operator

            Fred F. Sears
            
            Charles Bates
            
See full cast

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