Impact

Impact: Brian Donlevy and Ella Raines star in this 1949 film about a successful businessman whose wife and her lover scheme to murder. The film features Helen Walker as the conniving wife, Charles Coburn as a police detective, and  Chinese-American actress Anna May Wong. Directed by Arthur Lubin. 111 minutes. No CC. 

Brian Donlevy, at the end of his career, is ok in this film but the women make this a gem. Ella Raines despite appearing in many film noir, was, to my knowledge, never a femme fatale. She always portrayed a working girl full of courage, resourcefulness, and dedication to her man. Helen Walker however, is one of film noirs better femme fatales, and is excellent as Donlevy's scheming wife. Veteran actress Mae Marsh turns in a fine cameo performance as Raines' mother, as does Anna Mae Wong, one of Hollywood's first Asian actresses. Here is a link to the trailer.

Ella Raines