attendee pressures her for a kiss she is reminded of her rape, and attacks him with a wrench. Ann is forced to stand trial, but Ferguson investigates why she would do such a thing and learns of her rape. He is able to persuade the judge to commute her sentence, and instead she sees a psychiatrist for a year. After the psychiatric treatment has concluded, Ann wants to stay with Ferguson and pursue a relationship with him, but he tells her not to run from life's challenges and encourages her to return to her old life and to Jim. Cast Mala Powers as Ann Walton Tod Andrews as Rev. Bruce Ferguson Robert Clarke as Jim Owens Raymond Bond as Eric Walton Lilian Hamilton as Mrs. Walton Rita Lupino as Stella Carter Hal March as Det. Sgt. Hendrix Kenneth Patterson as Tom Harrison Jerry Paris as Frank Marini Angela Clarke as Madge Harrison Roy Engel as Sheriff Charlie Hanlon Lovyss Bradley as Mrs. Miller Robin Camp as Shoeshine Boy William Challee as Lee Wilkins Tristram Coffin as Judge McKenzie Critical reception Modern critics have given it mixed reviews. It holds a 61% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 reviews. Fred Camper from Chicago Reader in a positive review wrote "may not be stylistically original or completely successful, but it does treat the subject of rape with real sensitivity, especially for its era." Richard Brody of The New Yorker in his review he glowingly lauded the film and Lupino's direction saying, Lupino turns prudish Hollywood conventions into a crucial part of the story: just as the word “rape” is never spoken in the movie, Ann is prevented from talking about her experience, and, spurred by the torment of her enforced silence and the trauma that shatters her sense of identity, she runs away from home. Lupino’s drama blends Ann’s story with an incisive view of the many societal failures that contribute to the crime—including the unwillingness of the legal system to face the prevalence of rape. Above all, Lupino depicts a culture of leers and wolf whistles and domineering boyfriends, and reveals the widespread and unquestioned aggression that women face in ostensibly consensual courtship and that’s ultimately inseparable from the violence that Ann endures. References External links 1950 films 1950 drama films American black-and-white films American drama films Film noir Films directed by Ida Lupino Films set in California Films