Film Snail

6.9

D.O.A.

NR·1949·83m

Mystery

Thriller

Crime

Mystery

Thriller

Crime

Summary

Frank Bigelow is about to die, and he knows it. The accountant has been poisoned and has only 24 hours before the lethal concoction kills him. Determined to find out who his murderer is, Frank, with the help of his assistant and girlfriend, Paula, begins to trace back over his last steps. As he frantically tries to unravel the mystery behind his own impending demise, his sleuthing leads him to a group of crooked businessmen and another murder.

Cast

Edmond O'Brien

Frank Bigelow

Pamela Britton

Paula Gibson

Luther Adler

Majak

Beverly Garland

Miss Foster

Lynn Baggett

Mrs. Philips

William Ching

Halliday

Henry Hart

Stanley Philips

Neville Brand

Chester

Laurette Luez

Marla Rakubian

Jess Kirkpatrick

Sam

Cay Forester

Sue

Frank Jaquet

Dr. Matson

Lawrence Dobkin

Dr. Schaefer

Frank Gerstle

Dr. MacDonald

Carol Hughes

Kitty

Michael Ross

Dave

Donna Sanborn

Nurse

Harold Miller

Man in Hallway (uncredited)

Sam Harris

Man at Fisherman Table (uncredited)

George Lynn

Homicide Detective (uncredited)

Phillip Pine

Angelo (uncredited)

Bill Baldwin

St. Francis Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)

Teddy Buckner

Club Trumpeter (uncredited)

Frank Cady

Eddie - Bartender (uncredited)

Roy Engel

Police Captain (uncredited)

Douglas Evans

Eddie - Salesman on Phone (uncredited)

Virginia Lee

Jeanie (uncredited)

Peter Leeds

Leo - Bartender (uncredited)

Hugh O'Brian

Jazz Fan (uncredited)

Jerry Paris

Bellhop (uncredited)

Lynne Roberts

Jane Carlyle (uncredited)

Ivan Triesault

Photographer (uncredited)

Beverly Warren

Girl at Hotel Room Party (uncredited)

Jadie Carson

Bandleader (uncredited)

Shifty Henry

Club Bassist (uncredited)

David Jansen

Bellhop (uncredited)

Ray Laurie

Club Pianist (uncredited)

Van Streeter

Club Saxophonist (uncredited)

Cake Witchard

Club Drummer (uncredited)

Crew

Director

Rudolph Maté

Screenplay, Story

Russell Rouse

Screenplay, Story

Clarence Greene

Reviews

talisencrw

August 17, 2016

Edmond O'Brien is one of my favourite actors of the period, and if you need any startling evidence of why, just check out his performance here in Rudolph Mate's heartily original noir-shocker, 'D.O.A.'. Another great reason to check the film out, the Polish-born director, made a smooth transition from being a great cinematographer, and this is probably his most shining triumph helming a picture.

If you have ever wondered why 'film noir' has been considered such a consistently rewarding and enthralling body of cinematic work, like the earlier 'Pre-Code' era, check this one out, and others of its ilk. A sheerly delightful film that holds up well today.

Though I haven't checked its 80's remake out, I'm not too curious about it, other than the slight curiosity from its notoriety of it being the film in which Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan met and eventually decided to marry. Other than that, I'm more than content simply watching this.