The Reckless Moment
“It could happen to so many married women!”
Synopsis
After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.
Top Cast
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James Mason
Martin Donnelly
Joan Bennett
Lucia Harper
Geraldine Brooks
Bea Harper
Henry O'Neill
Tom Harper
Shepperd Strudwick
Ted Darby
David Bair
David Harper
Roy Roberts
Nagel
Jessie Arnold
Old Lady (uncredited)
Al Bain
Man (uncredited)
Jack Baker
Man (uncredited)
Pat Barton
Receptionist (uncredited)
Holger Bendixen
Man (uncredited)
Gail Bonney
Woman (uncredited)
Chet Brandenburg
Department Store Customer (uncredited)
Peter Brocco
Pete the Bartender (uncredited)
Paul E. Burns
Desk Clerk (uncredited)
John Butler
Pawnbroker (uncredited)
Kathryn Card
Mrs. Loring (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
December 29, 1949
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Max Ophüls
- Screenplay & Story
- Robert Soderberg, Henry Garson
- Original Score
- Hans J. Salter
- Original Title
- The Reckless Moment
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 22m
- Production Studios
- Walter Wanger Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Max Ophüls
Robert Soderberg, Henry Garson, Robert E. Kent, Mel Dinelli, Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
Hans J. Salter
Burnett Guffey
Gene Havlick
Walter Wanger
Department Leadership Roster
Max Ophüls
Director
Gene Havlick
Editor
Robert Soderberg
Screenplay
Hans J. Salter
Original Music Composer
Henry Garson
Screenplay
Burnett Guffey
Director of Photography
Walter Wanger
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Reckless Moment.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Reckless Moment.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Reckless Moment
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Reckless Moment about?
After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.
Who directed The Reckless Moment?
The Reckless Moment was directed by Max Ophüls.
Who stars in The Reckless Moment?
The principal cast of The Reckless Moment includes James Mason, Joan Bennett, Geraldine Brooks, Henry O'Neill, Shepperd Strudwick.
When was The Reckless Moment released and how long is it?
The Reckless Moment was released in 1949 with a total runtime of 1h 22m.
Who composed the musical score for The Reckless Moment?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Reckless Moment was composed by Hans J. Salter.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Reckless Moment?
The Reckless Moment holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).