Classic Movie Man Posted by Stephen Reginald on April 30, 2024

Dick Powell and Lizabeth Scott in “Pitfall” Pitfall (1948) is an American film noir drama directed by Andre de Toth and starring Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott, and Jane Wyatt. The supporting cast includes Ann Doran, John Litel, and Raymond Burr. Johnny Forbes (Powell) works for an in   read more

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on November 19, 2020

Today’s pick is my third Lizabeth Scott starrer of the month: Pitfall (1948). Do I need to even bother saying that it’s a favorite? The film boasts a stellar cast that, in addition to Scott, includes Dick Powell, Jane Wyatt, and Raymond Burr; brisk direction by Andre De Toth; and...   read more

Flickers in Time Posted by Beatrice on July 21, 2017

Pitfall (Otoshiana)  Directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara Written by Kobo Abe 1962/Japan Teshigahara Productions/Toho Company First viewing/Netflix rental There’s some effective filmmaking here but I failed to get the point if there was one. A miner and his young son are wandering around looki   read more

Journeys in Classic Film Posted by on February 17, 2017

There’s a formula to film noirs, and while not strictly enforced there are particular elements one looks for – the morally ambiguous hero, interplay between light and shadow, an evil femme fatale. It is both this adherence to and divergence from convention that makes director Andre de To   read more

CineMaven's Essays from the Couch Posted by Theresa Brown on October 23, 2016

Husband                     Wife                         Mistress                   Creep “PITFALL“ is taut tense quiet drama and I like how it plays out. You think it’s going to go...   read more

Caftan Woman Posted by Caftan Woman on April 13, 2015

The Great Villain Blogathon of 2015 runs from April 13th to 17th. It is hosted by the terrific trio of Kristina of Speakeasy, Karen of Shadows and Satin and Ruth of Silver Screenings. It is a do-not-miss internet event. What motivates our great villains? Greed? The lust for power? Love?...   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on March 7, 2015

In Italy Pitfall‘s title was translated to Tragedy in Santa Monica. And that it is, but it plays out as a typical, everyday tragedy. It is far from Shakespearian. John Forbes (Dick Powell) is sorely tired of the monotony of his life: A wheel within a wheel within a wheel...   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on March 7, 2015

In Italy Pitfall‘s title was translated to Tragedy in Santa Monica. And that it is, but it plays out as a typical, everyday tragedy. It is far from Shakespearian. John Forbes (Dick Powell) is sorely tired of the monotony of his life: A wheel within a wheel within a wheel...   read more

The Motion Pictures Posted by Lindsey on January 28, 2015

John Forbes (Dick Powell) is an insurance agent who lives a standard suburban life. He and his wife (Jane Wyatt) are raising their son (Jimmy Hunt) in the Los Angeles area, and John makes enough money for them to live quite comfortably. (Image via Amazon) John’s not particularly happy with...   read more

Classic Film & TV Cafe Posted by Rick29 on July 28, 2014

In a 2006 article for L.A. Weekly, French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier called Pitfall (1948) "a film to rank among the best, the sharpest and the most original of noirs." I'm not sure I'd rank Pitfall with the genre's finest, but it's nonetheless a highly-effective drama that breaks free of the...   read more

Flickers in Time Posted by Beatrice on July 8, 2014

Pitfall Directed by Andre de Toth Written by Karl Kamb based on the novel The Pitfall by Jay Dratler 1948/USA Regal Films First viewing/Amazon Prime Instant Video When it’s 1948 and you step on your wife with a lady who has caught Raymond Burr’s eye, you’ve got to know you are...   read more