The Reckless Moment (1949)

The Blank Wall On Film

Elizabeth Sanxay Holding (1889 -- 1955) was a prolific writer of suspense novels, many of which have domestic settings. Her most famous novel, "The Blank Wall" (1947) is included in the first of two volumes of women's crime fiction "Women Crime Writers" Four Suspense Novels of the 1940's and 50's" published by the Library of America and edited by Sarah Wineman. Holding's novel has been filmed twice: first in "The Reckless Moment" (1949), which I am reviewing here, and then as "The Deep End" in 2001.

Directed by Max Ophuls and starring Joan Bennett and James Mason, "The Reckless Moment" has slowly gained recognition as a film noir classic. The film shifts the scene of Holding's novel from New York City to Balboa Island and Los Angeles. It tells the story of an upper middle class housewife, Lucia Harper, in the years just after WWII. Lucia lives a quiet, contented life with her two children, aging father, and African American maid, Sybill (Frances Williams). Her husband has been absent during the war and, in the film, is absent for a brief assignment in Berlin.

When Lucia's 17 year old daughter becomes involved with a sleazy character, Ted Darby, she becomes alarmed and forbids her daughter from seeing him. Darby comes to the home at night, where the daughter, seeing the error of her ways, rebuffs him, and Darby falls to an accidental death. Lucia tries to hide the death, trying to protect her daughter, and the trouble begins. She is blackmailed by Martin Donnelly and his vicious partner, Nagel. The movie builds in suspense as the quiet, suburban housweife becomes involved in a world of crime. The blackmailer, Donnelly, falls in love with his intended victim and the feeling is in part reciprocated, setting the stage for the film's violent denouement. Lucia gets an understanding of the dangers and passions in a life outside the scope of her experience.

This film builds in suspense and features excellent performances by Bennett and Mason. It also features outstanding cinematography in black and white noir. The film shows the streets, bars, and businesses of 1940's Los Angeles. It also captures as well the close household of the Harper family and the bridges and waterways of Balboa Island. "The Reckless Moment" was Ophuls' last American film, and the photography and settings are pure noir.

I enjoyed this film for itself and for reminding me of Holden's novel. I heard some valuable commentary on this film from Eddie Muller, the "Czar of Noir". Lovers of film noir will want to see this relatively little-known and under-appreciated film.

Robin Friedman