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(1955) Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) marries and murders widows for their money, believing he is helping God do away with women who arouse men's carnal instincts. Arrested for auto theft, he shares a cell with condemned killer Ben Harper (Peter Graves) and tries to get him to reveal the whereabouts of the $10,000 he stole. Only Ben's nineyearold son, John and fouryearold daughter, Pearl knows the money is in Pearl's doll and they have sworn to their father to keep this secret. After Ben is executed, Preacher goes to Cresap's Landing to court Ben's widow, Willa (Shelley Winters). He overwhelms her with his Scripture quoting, sermons and hymns, and she agrees to marry him. On their wedding night he tells her they will never have sex because it is sinful. When the depressed, confused, guilty woman catches him trying to force Pearl to reveal the whereabouts of the money, she is resigned to her fate but the children manage to escape downriver, with Preacher following close behind.
Director
Charles Laughton
Writers
Davis Grubb (novel)
James Agee (screenplay)
Cast
Robert Mitchum... Harry Powell
Shelley Winters... Willa Harper
Lillian Gish... Rachel Cooper
James Gleason... Birdie Steptoe
Evelyn Varden... Icey Spoon
Peter Graves... Ben Harper
Don Beddoe... Walt Spoon
Billy Chapin... John Harper
Sally Jane Bruce... Pearl Harper
Gloria Castillo... Ruby (as Gloria Castilo)
Corey Allen... Macijah Blake, young man in town (unaccredited)
Paul Bryar... Bart, prison guard (unaccredited)
Cheryl Callaway... Mary (unaccredited)
Michael Chapin... Ruby's boyfriend (unaccredited)
Mary Ellen Clemons... Clary (unaccredited)
Kathy Garver... Child (unaccredited)
John Hamilton... Townsman who greets Rachel (unaccredited)
Gloria Pall... Dancer (unaccredited)
Trivia
- Charles Laughton had no great love for children and so despised directing them in this film that Robert Mitchum found himself directing the children in several scenes.
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