The Dark Past

"SENSATIONAL SUSPENSE DRAMA!"

1948 1h 14m EN

😐

6.0

MID

★6.0TMDB · 41

CrimeThrillerDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A gang hold a family hostage in their own home. The leader of the escaped cons is bothered by a recurring dream that the doctor of the house may be able to analyze.

“SENSATIONAL SUSPENSE DRAMA!”

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Cast

William Holden
Al Walker
Nina Foch
Betty
Lee J. Cobb
Dr. Andrew Collins
Adele Jergens
Laura Stevens
Stephen Dunne
Owen Talbot
Lois Maxwell
Ruth Collins
Berry Kroeger
Mike
Steven Geray
Prof. Fred Linder

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Rudolph Maté
Writers: Michael Blankfort, Albert Duffy, Philip MacDonald
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 74-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

78 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Rudolph Maté, shot by Joseph Walker. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by George Duning. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Viola Lawrence shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

ERA

Did you know

William Holden and Nina Foch and Lee J. Cobb carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "SENSATIONAL SUSPENSE DRAMA!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0040270 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Rudolph Maté directs. Joseph Walker behind the camera. George Duning scores. Viola Lawrence cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 74-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
278 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by Rudolph Maté, shot by Joseph Walker. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by George Duning. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Viola Lawrence shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6William Holden and Nina Foch and Lee J. Cobb carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "SENSATIONAL SUSPENSE DRAMA!".
8IMDB entry: tt0040270 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 41 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.