Take One False Step Poster

Take One False Step 1949

★ 5.217 votes94 min📅 1949-08-14

"Is there a 'Cathy' in your past ?"

In *Take One False Step (1949)*, directed by Chester Erskine, a seemingly ordinary professor finds himself entangled in a web of suspicion when a woman he's seen with vanishes without a trace.

Director: Chester Erskine

Cast

William Powell
William Powell
Andrew Gentling
Shelley Winters
Shelley Winters
Catherine Sykes
Marsha Hunt
Marsha Hunt
Martha Wier
Dorothy Hart
Dorothy Hart
Helen Gentling
James Gleason
James Gleason
Captain Gledhill
Felix Bressart
Felix Bressart
Professor Morris Avrum
Art Baker
Art Baker
Henry Pritchard
Sheldon Leonard
Sheldon Leonard
Detective Pacciano
Howard Freeman
Howard Freeman
Dr. Markheim
Houseley Stevenson
Houseley Stevenson
Montgomery Thatcher

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Take One False Step (1949) about?

This 1949 thriller follows Professor Andrew Gentling as he races against time to prove his innocence after a woman he was seen with disappears, leaving him branded as her would-be killer. With the clock ticking and evidence stacked against him, he must piece together the mystery before the authorities make their move.

Who directed Take One False Step?

Chester Erskine directed this suspenseful noir, known for his skill in weaving intricate plots and building atmospheric tension.

Who stars in Take One False Step?

The film features William Powell as Professor Gentling, joined by Shelley Winters, Marsha Hunt, Dorothy Hart, and James Gleason in pivotal roles.

Is Take One False Step (1949) worth watching?

While it's unrated on IMDb, this classic noir delivers sharp dialogue, a twist-laden plot, and standout performances, especially from Powell. Fans of vintage thrillers with moral gray areas will find plenty to enjoy in its 94-minute runtime.

How long is Take One False Step?

Take One False Step runs for 94 minutes.

About Take One False Step (1949) — A Noir Thriller of Secrets and Suspicion

In *Take One False Step (1949)*, directed by Chester Erskine, a seemingly ordinary professor finds himself entangled in a web of suspicion when a woman he's seen with vanishes without a trace. As authorities label him the prime suspect in her presumed murder, his determined friend Martha pushes him to uncover the truth before the law catches up. With time running out and his reputation on the line, the professor must navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where every clue could either clear his name or seal his fate.

Starring the charismatic William Powell alongside Shelley Winters and Marsha Hunt, this noir-tinged thriller blends crime, drama, and mystery into a gripping tale of deception and urgency. Erskine crafts an atmosphere thick with tension, where trust is a luxury and the past refuses to stay buried.