FILM · 1949 · USA
The Reckless Moment
- Directed by
- Max Ophüls
- Runtime
- 82 min
- Studio
- Walter Wanger Productions
14 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.
Summary: TMDB
All facts (14)
- #001
The Balboa Island car ferry used by Joan Bennett and James Mason still crosses the 300-meter stretch between Balboa Island and the Balboa Peninsula.
- #002
The film was a rare exception to the Hays Code, which held that criminals could not go unpunished. Mrs. Harper escapes punishment for illegally concealing and destroying a body.
- #003
The director of this and other Hollywood films is listed as Max Opuls, but for the films he made in Europe he is credited in titles as Max Ophüls. His surname at birth was Oppenheimer.
- #004
It was German director Max Ophüls's last American film.
- #005
According to Marcel Ophüls, his father was paid $25,000 to direct this film after Jean Renoir was offered twice that amount and turned it down.
- #006
The $5,000 blackmail demand would be equivalent to about $65,000 in 2024 dollars. The $800 Mrs. Harper would receive for pawning her jewels would be around $10,000 in 2024.
- #007
It was British actor James Mason's third American film.
- #008
The note above states that Ophüls's surname was originally Oppenheimer. Interestingly, that name appears in the film: it belongs to a loan officer at a finance company.
- #009
When Donnelly buys Lucia the cigarette holder, there is a brief shot of the packaging and the false information printed on it. As data linking smoking to cancer and adverse health outcomes began to emerge, the tobacco industry spent heavily to convince consumers that filters could make cigarettes safer. They did not, but Donnelly's purchase was meant to imply concern for her health.
- #010
It was included on the American Film Institute's 2001 list of 400 nominated films for the 100 Most Heart-Pounding American Films.
- #011
It was Sue Moore's last film.
- #012
It was Celeste Savoi's last film.
- #013
As of 2024, David Bair is the last surviving member of the cast.
- #014
It was David Bair's first credited appearance. His character is also named David.
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