They Won't Believe Me (1947)

86% of users liked it
(64 ratings)

Irving Pichel's They Won't Believe Me is the flashback unfolding of Larry Ballentine's (Robert Young) witness-stand testimony in his trial for the murder of girlfriend Verna Carlson (Susan Hayward). Larry is the first to admit he's a parasitic heel, cheating on his rich wife Gretta (Rita Johnson)… More Irving Pichel's They Won't Believe Me is the flashback unfolding of Larry Ballentine's (Robert Young) witness-stand testimony in his trial for the murder of girlfriend Verna Carlson (Susan Hayward). Larry is the first to admit he's a parasitic heel, cheating on his rich wife Gretta (Rita Johnson) first with magazine writer Janice Bell (Jane Greer) and then with Verna. Though aware of Larry's affairs, Gretta cannot manage to leave him; rather, she uses her money to keep him in tow. She foils his attempt to run off with Janice by buying him a partnership in a brokerage firm. When she discovers his plan to flee with Verna, she sells her interest, leaving Larry unemployed and penniless. The lovers run off nonetheless, but Verna is killed when a truck crashes into their car. When the authorities assume the charred victim is his wife, Larry gets a sinister idea. He returns home to kill Gretta, but she is already dead, so all he has to do is hide the body. Unfortunately for him, the police come looking for the missing Verna, who they suspect was blackmailing him. They find Gretta's unrecognizable corpse, think it's Verna's, and arrest Larry. The flashback structure of this suspenseful film noir effectively creates a foreboding tension that mounts to a powerful final scene. ~ Steve Press, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Irving Pichel
Written By: Jonathan Latimer
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1947 Wide
Studio: RKO Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An outstanding film noir melodrama.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Excellent undeservedly obscure noir with an excellent dark performance from the usually genial Robert Young. Economically directed by Pichel with terrific contributions from Susan Hayward, Jane Greer and particularly Rita Johnson. Great denouncement, catch it if you can.

Cast

            Robert Young as Larry Ballentine

            Susan Hayward as Verna Carlson

            Rita Johnson as Gretta Ballentine

            Tom Powers as Trenton

            George Tyne as Lieutenant Carr

            Frank Ferguson as Cahill

            Jean Andren as Maid

            Polly Bailey as Untidy Woman

            Don Beddoe as Thomason

            Nina Borget as Mrs. Roberts

            Lovyss Bradley as Miss Jordan

            Lillian Bronson as Mrs. Hines

            Anthony Caruso as Tough Patient

            Ellen Corby as Screaming Woman

            Anne Cornwall as Screaming Woman

            Dot Farley as Emma

            Charles Flynn as Masseur

            Byron Foulger as Mortician

            Lee Frederick as Detective

            Jack Gargan as Bartender

            William Gillespie as Waiter

            Sol (Saul) Gorss as Gus

            Wilton Graff as Patrick Gold

            Fred Graham as Deputy Sheriff

            Jane Greer as Janice Bell

            Harry Harvey as Judge Fletcher

            Herbert Heywood as Sheriff

            Carl Kent as Chauffeur

            Perc Launders as Police Stenographer

            Paul Maxey as Mr. Bowman

            Matt McHugh as Tiny Old Man

            Netta Packer as Spinster

            Milton Parsons as Court Clerk

            Lee Phelps as Bailiff

            Jack Rice as Tour Conductor

            Hector V. Sarno as Nick

            Janet Shaw as Susan Haines

            George Sherwood as Highway Cop

            Harry Strang as Ryan

            Irene Tedrow as 1st Woman

            Bob Thom as Hotel Clerk

            Martin Wilkins as Sailor

            Bud Wolfe as Driver

            Robert Thom as Hotel Clerk

            Frank Pharr as Patrick Collins

            George Morrell as Rancher

            Harry Gillespie as Waiter

            Ivan Browning as Bartender

            Helen Dickson as Woman

            Bert LeBaron as Joe Pots

            Robert Peyton as Detective

            Bob Pepper as Officer Guarding Larry

            Elena Warren as Mrs. Bowman

            Ira Buck Woods as Waiter
See full cast