Watch The Pretender

The Pretender is a classic film noir from 1947, directed by W. Lee Wilder and starring Albert Dekker, Catherine Craig, and Charles Drake. The movie tells the story of a man who decides to assume the identity of someone else in order to start a new life, but finds himself trapped in a world of deceit and betrayal. The film starts with the character of Bill Perry (played by Albert Dekker) being released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence. He is picked up by his girlfriend Joanne (played by Catherine Craig), who has been waiting for him all this time. However, Bill is not the same person he was before he went to prison. He is disillusioned with his past life and wants to start fresh. Joanne supports his decision and suggests that they move to a small town where they can begin a new life together.

Once they arrive in the town, Bill assumes the identity of George Lambert, a local businessman who had recently died in a car accident. Bill takes over the deceased man's business and soon becomes a respected member of the community. He even falls in love with a young woman named Ann (played by Virginia Gilmore) and proposes to her.

However, Bill's past catches up with him when two of his former associates, Kemp (played by Robert Warwick) and Rawlins (played by Art Baker), show up in town. They inform him that they were responsible for the car accident that killed George Lambert and that they need Bill's help in pulling off a robbery. They threaten to expose his true identity if he refuses to cooperate.

Bill finds himself torn between his desire for a new life and the danger of being caught by the authorities. He turns to Joanne for advice, but she is no longer the supportive girlfriend she once was. Instead, she has become bitter and resentful, feeling that Bill has abandoned her for his new life. She wants him to help with the robbery, hoping that it will provide them with enough money to leave the town for good.

As the day of the robbery draws near, Bill becomes increasingly paranoid and fearful. He worries that he has made a mistake in assuming George Lambert's identity and that he will be caught by the police. He also fears that his former associates will betray him and turn him over to the authorities. He turns to Ann for support, hoping that their love can conquer all obstacles.

The Pretender is a gripping and suspenseful film noir that boasts strong performances from its cast. Albert Dekker is particularly impressive, portraying Bill/George as a complex character who is struggling to reconcile his past with his present. Catherine Craig is also excellent as Joanne, portraying a woman whose love turns to hate when she feels betrayed.

The film's cinematography and editing are equally impressive, creating a dark and moody atmosphere that captures the tension and paranoia of the story. The music score by Ernst Toch is also noteworthy, using dissonant and haunting melodies to enhance the film's mood.

Overall, The Pretender is a classic film noir that deserves to be rediscovered by modern audiences. Its themes of identity, betrayal, and redemption are timeless, and its performances and direction are top-notch. If you are a fan of suspenseful and atmospheric films, this one is definitely worth checking out.

The Pretender is a 1947 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.