Cover Up (1949 film)

Cover Up

Cover Up movie poster
Directed by Alfred E. Green
Produced by Ted Nasser
Written by Jerome Odlum
Dennis O'Keefe
(as Jonathan Rix)
Starring Dennis O'Keefe
William Bendix
Barbara Britton
Music by Hans J. Salter
Cinematography Ernest Laszlo
Edited by Fred W. Berger
Production
company
Strand Productions
Distributed by United Artists
Release dates
  • February 25, 1949 (1949-02-25) (United States)
Running time
 83 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Cover Up is a 1949 mystery film directed by Alfred E. Green starring Dennis O'Keefe, William Bendix, and Barbara Britton. O'Keefe also co-wrote the screenplay, credited as Jonathan Rix. The murder mystery takes place during the Christmas season.

Plot

In a small Midwestern town, Roger Phillips is found dead. When insurance investigator Sam Donovan (O'Keefe) arrives looking into the apparent suicide, all clues lead him to suspect murder. The man was shot, but there are no powder burns on the body (which would indicate he was not shot at close range) nor was a pistol found. Unfortunately, no one wants to assist him with the case, including Sheriff Larry Best (Bendix), despite a double indemnity clause. It turns out the dead man was universally hated.

One of the prime suspects is Frank Baker, who eloped with Phillips' daughter the night of the death when Phillips objected to the marriage. During the investigation, Sam and local girl Anita Weatherby (Britton) are strongly attracted to each other. This causes complications when Anita finds her father's hidden Luger pistol (Phillips was shot with a Luger) while searching for a place to store her diary away from her inquisitive younger sister.

Meanwhile, at the annual town Christmas tree lighting, the residents are grieved to learn that beloved longtime physician Dr. Gerrow has died of a heart attack.

Finally, Sam plants a false story in the newspaper, stating that he has sent for a chemist to find clues of the killer's identity from the floor of the house where Phillips died. The chemist is due very soon, so Sam waits for the murderer at the scene of the crime. Sheriff Best shows up first, but he knew the story was a fake. Next to arrive is Anita's father, Stu Weatherby, followed by Anita. Sam accuses Stu of the crime, but then realizes from the position of the murderer that he had to have been left-handed, which rules Stu out. Then Sam remembers, from his previous investigation, that Dr. Gerrow was left-handed. Stu confirms Sam's guess. Weatherby came upon Dr. Gerrow, just after the doctor snapped and killed the man responsible for so much misery to his loved townspeople. He talked Gerrow out of turning himself in and took the Luger away.

Cast

Production

According to Madeleine Stowe, guest host of the May 21, 2016, Turner Classic Movies screening of Cover-Up, the producer changed the time of the film, feeling the subject was unsuitable for a Christmas setting. Star Dennis O'Keefe, who also co-wrote the script, strongly resisted the change and won.

This was the first film produced by O'Keefe's new production company, according to Stowe.

External links

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