Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Take One False Step

  • 19491949
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
433
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
William Powell and Shelley Winters in Take One False Step (1949)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
During a conference-trip to L.A., an academic runs into an old-flame and into trouble with the police when she disappears, presumed murdered.During a conference-trip to L.A., an academic runs into an old-flame and into trouble with the police when she disappears, presumed murdered.During a conference-trip to L.A., an academic runs into an old-flame and into trouble with the police when she disappears, presumed murdered.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
433
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Chester Erskine
  • Writers
    • Irwin Shaw(screenplay by)
    • Chester Erskine(screenplay by)
    • David Shaw(novel "Night Call")
  • Stars
    • William Powell
    • Shelley Winters
    • Marsha Hunt
Top credits
  • Director
    • Chester Erskine
  • Writers
    • Irwin Shaw(screenplay by)
    • Chester Erskine(screenplay by)
    • David Shaw(novel "Night Call")
  • Stars
    • William Powell
    • Shelley Winters
    • Marsha Hunt
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 10User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

    Take One False Step (1949)
    William Powell and Shelley Winters in Take One False Step (1949)
    William Powell and Shelley Winters in Take One False Step (1949)
    William Powell and Shelley Winters in Take One False Step (1949)
    William Powell and Shelley Winters in Take One False Step (1949)
    William Powell and Shelley Winters in Take One False Step (1949)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Powell
    William Powell
    • Andrew Gentlingas Andrew Gentling
    Shelley Winters
    Shelley Winters
    • Catherine Sykesas Catherine Sykes
    Marsha Hunt
    Marsha Hunt
    • Martha Wieras Martha Wier
    Dorothy Hart
    Dorothy Hart
    • Helen Gentlingas Helen Gentling
    James Gleason
    James Gleason
    • Gledhillas Gledhill
    Felix Bressart
    Felix Bressart
    • Professor Morris Avrumas Professor Morris Avrum
    Art Baker
    Art Baker
    • Henry Pritchardas Henry Pritchard
    Sheldon Leonard
    Sheldon Leonard
    • Paccianoas Pacciano
    Howard Freeman
    Howard Freeman
    • Dr. Markheimas Dr. Markheim
    Houseley Stevenson
    Houseley Stevenson
    • Thatcheras Thatcher
    Paul Harvey
    Paul Harvey
    • Mr. Arnspigeras Mr. Arnspiger
    Francis Pierlot
    Francis Pierlot
    • Doctor Watsonas Doctor Watson
    Jess Barker
    Jess Barker
    • Arnold Sykesas Arnold Sykes
    Mikel Conrad
    Mikel Conrad
    • Freddieas Freddie
    Vangie Beilby
    • Old Lady at Lectureas Old Lady at Lecture
    • (uncredited)
    Marjorie Bennett
    Marjorie Bennett
    • Waitressas Waitress
    • (uncredited)
    Leonard Bremen
    Leonard Bremen
    • Truck Driveras Truck Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Brinegar
    Paul Brinegar
    • Reporteras Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Chester Erskine
    • Writers
      • Irwin Shaw(screenplay by) (novel "Night Call")
      • Chester Erskine(screenplay by)
      • David Shaw(novel "Night Call")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Johnny Stool Pigeon
    6.6
    Johnny Stool Pigeon
    The Midnight Story
    6.7
    The Midnight Story
    Woman in Hiding
    6.9
    Woman in Hiding
    Tangier
    6.4
    Tangier
    No Room for the Groom
    6.2
    No Room for the Groom
    The Black Shield of Falworth
    6.4
    The Black Shield of Falworth
    The Lady Gambles
    6.6
    The Lady Gambles
    Johnny Dark
    6.0
    Johnny Dark
    Mister Cory
    6.7
    Mister Cory
    The Prince Who Was a Thief
    6.4
    The Prince Who Was a Thief
    The Rat Race
    6.7
    The Rat Race
    Houdini
    6.8
    Houdini

    Storyline

    Edit
    Prof. Andrew Gentling, in Los Angeles to help found a new college, is inveigled by old flame Catherine Sykes into a midnight drive. Next day Catherine is missing, believed killed; friend Martha convinces Andrew that he's a prime suspect and should investigate before he's arrested. But this only puts Andrew in a more deadly kind of danger. —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
    • 1940s
    • los angeles california
    • old flame
    • academic
    • professor
    • 40 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Is there a 'Cathy' in your past ?
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    User reviews10

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Shelley Winters sizzles
    William Powell doesn't just take one false step in this thriller, he takes several. But the point of the story is that it only takes one step in the wrong direction for you to tumble completely down the hill and crash. As is often the case in Hollywood oldies, the false step comes in the form of a morally loose woman. There's nothing worse than a floozie who likes booze and men, in the eyes of the Hays Code.

    Bill is happily married to Dorothy Hart, and has a good job as a college professor. Temptation comes in the form of Shelley Winters, an old girlfriend who wants to have another fling. She's sizzling in this movie and gets to wear some gorgeous gowns that leave nothing to the imagination. However, if Bill is happy and has moved on, why does he agree to go to her apartment for drinks? One false step leads to another, and the next thing he knows, he's being accused of Shelley's murder. . .

    The oddest part of this movie is that when Bill gets into trouble, he doesn't turn to his wife. He turns to his gal pal Marsha Hunt, and the two of them seem to have a better relationship than he and his wife. The script could have made Marsha his wife and cut out the friend's character altogether. You'll also see James Gleason, Sheldon Leonard, and Felix Bressart in the supporting cast. It's a bit sad to see Felix in his last movie, because he was very thin and very sick. He's often filmed from behind or at a distance, and I wonder if a double was used. Still, if you're a Shelley Winters fan, you might want to check this one out to see her looking so pretty.
    helpful•3
    1
    • HotToastyRag
    • Jan 25, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 14, 1949 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • En blondin försvinner
    • Filming locations
      • Beverly Hills, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    William Powell and Shelley Winters in Take One False Step (1949)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Take One False Step (1949) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    The Most Anticipated Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.