Main Cast: Van Heflin, Evelyn Keyes, John Maxwell, Katherine Warren, Emerson Treacy
Release Year: 1951
Country: US
Run Time: 92 minutes
Plot
Webb Garwood (Van Heflin) is a cynical policeman who believes that success comes from lucky breaks. Responding to a prowler complaint at the home of Susan Gilvray (Evelyn Keyes), he is immediately attracted to her and her wealth. He returns to "check up" on Susan, and they begin an affair, conducted while listening to her husband William (Emerson Treacy)'s all-night radio program. Feeling guilty, Susan ends the relationship, but Garwood remains obsessed. He pretends to be a prowler on the Gilvray property so he can respond to another police call. Drawing William outside, he shoots him and makes it appear accidental. When Garwood manipulates Susan's confusion about the shooting, she buys his story, and the lovers marry. However, upon discovering that Susan is pregnant "too soon," they flee to give birth in secret, but eventually Susan learns the devastating truth. Intense performances by Heflin and Keyes bring alive this story of a prowler who preys on a woman's loneliness while also representing the forces of authority who literally screw those they are supposed to serve. ~ Steve Press, All Movie Guide
Madge Blake - Martha Gilvray; Wheaton Chambers - Dr. James; Robert Osterloh - Coroner; Sherry Hall - John Gilvray; Louise Lorimer - Motel Manager; Benny Burt - Journalist; Steve Carruthers - Mr. Talbot; Fred Hoose - Foreman; Tiny Jones; George Nader - Photographer; Alan Harris - Clerk; Louise M. Bates - Doctor's Wife; Betty Jane Howarth - Mrs. Talbot
Credit
Boris Leven - Art Director, Maria P. Donovan - Costume Designer, Robert Aldrich - First Assistant Director, Joseph Losey - Director, Paul Weatherwax - Editor, Lyn Murray - Composer (Music Score), Irving Friedman - Musical Direction/Supervision, Dick Mack - Songwriter, Bob Carroll - Songwriter, Arthur C. Miller - Cinematographer, Joseph H. Nadel - Production Manager, Sam P. Eagle - Producer, Jacque Mapes - Set Designer, Ben Winkler - Sound/Sound Designer, Hans Wilhelm - Screen Story, Hugo Butler - Screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo - Screenwriter, Robert Thoeren - Short Story Author
Van Heflin plays Webb Garwood, a disgruntled cop called to investigate a voyeur by Susan Gilvray (played by Evelyn Keyes). Her husband works nights as an overnight radio personality. The cop falls in love with the young and attractive married woman. Obsessed, he woos her despite her initial reluctance. After they fall in love, Garwood, who finds out about an insurance policy on the man's life, dreams up a scheme in which a phantom "prowler" would be a good scapegoat if her husband should happen to die mysteriously. After becoming a prowler himself, Heflin murders the husband and makes it look like self-defense.
The woman, now pregnant, and the cop take it on the lam.
