Through a series of bizarre coincidences artist finds himself falsely accused of bank robbery and murder and is pursued by the authorities and the real killers.

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(screen play), (from the novel by)
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
James Vanning
...
John
...
Marie Gardner
...
Laura Fraser
...
Ben Fraser
...
Dr. Edward Gurston
Rudy Bond ...
Red
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Storyline

There is money missing from a bank job, an attractive model, an insurance investigator, and two extremely dangerous thugs. James Vanning (Aldo Ray) portrays an innocent man on the run, being pursued by the criminals who stupidly misplaced their take from the crime and think he has it or knows where it is hidden. Add model Marie Gardner (Anne Bancroft) who crossed paths with nice guy Vanning, while he is on the run. This all adds up to a thriller wherein the viewer is drawn into the story and becomes part of the drama. When Marie says "things that really happen are difficult to explain" it captures the theme of this film. A nice girl helps a nice guy, who is innocent and is drawn into the drama. As tension mounts she says: "I am always meeting the wrong man, and it leads to doomed relationships." Marie inadvertently leads Vanning into the hands of the villains. However, she is a pseudo-femme fatale, innocently involved in the intrigue and, like the viewer, is gradually drawn into the ... Written by Noir-Fan-en-Suisse

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

YOU COULD GO TO THE MOVIES EVERY DAY FOR FIVE YEARS---BEFORE YOU'D SEE ANOTHER PICTURE WITH SO MANY THRILLS AND SO MUCH SUSPENSE! (original print ad - all caps) See more »


Certificate:

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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

19 November 1956 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

A Maleta Fatídica  »

Filming Locations:

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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Goofs

At the camp, when James Vanning (Aldo Ray) sees the speeding car, he says, "It's going to go over!" Even though the car is basically going down a straight road in a fairly straight line (no evidence of driving crazy enough to go off the road). Immediately afterward, the car brakes and swerves hard to the right and drives off the road. Something no one could have seen or anticipated until it happened. See more »

Quotes

Marie Gardner: What time is it?
James Vanning: Early.
Marie Gardner: I have an eight o'clock sitting and a twelve o'clock fashion show.
James Vanning: You're a model?
Marie Gardner: How do you think I pay the rent?
James Vanning: Oh, well, I should have figured your being a model. I mean, believe it or not, I'm an artist.
[He chuckles]
Marie Gardner: Soup cans or sunsets?
James Vanning: Soup cans, toothpaste, automobiles, and girls once in a while.
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Connections

References The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) See more »

Soundtracks

Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2
(uncredited)
Music by Frédéric Chopin
Played on piano at the restaurant
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
masterpiece film concocted of improbabilities
6 August 2008 | by (Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico) – See all my reviews

One watches Nightfall and the story seems (or actually, is) full of glaring improbabilities. Yet, in spite of that, it's hard if not impossible, to stop watching the film. The characters and imagery are remarkable. So what if Brian Keith and Rudy Bond stupidly lose 350,000 dollars just so they can move the story along and chase protagonist Aldo Ray from snowy Wyoming to sunny LA. Losing the money is but one of those points in the film where the viewer has to go along and have faith in the superb craftwork of director Jacques Tourneur. He was not about to let one's expectations down in this late 50's noir excursion which is full of disturbing imagery and menace that more than makes up for holes in the plot, if that's even necessary. Especially eye-catching are scenes of the mechanical movements of an L.A. oil derrick in the middle of the night as it neatly snaps a two by four, and later, the glistening blades of a Wyoming snow plow shining in the morning sun.


4 of 5 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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