D.O.A.
Seen it?1949 | 83 min | Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Coffy or Pulp Fiction, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 23 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1949: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; interest faded quickly after launch
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 4K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Rudolph Maté
- Edmond O'BrienFrank Bigelow
- Pamela BrittonPaula Gibson
- Luther AdlerMajak
- Beverly GarlandMiss Foster
- Lynn BaggettMrs. Philips
- William ChingHalliday
- Henry HartStanley Philips
- Neville BrandChester
- Laurette LuezMarla Rakubian
- Jess KirkpatrickSam