This week we decided to watch the film noir IMPACT which is streamed online for free at this web site: http://is.gd/kJskv9. IMPACT, shot in 1949, was filmed in California, including San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.

Film noir stalwart Brian Donlevy plays the good guy, and Ella Raines is his glamorous, scheming wife. Charles Coburn makes for a bumbling, but shrewd police lieutenant investigating the murder. Noted Chinese actress Emma May Wong makes her movie bebut. Look for Jason Robards, Sr. (father of the Jason Robards I remember) as the judge in the courtroom scenes.

IMPACT is an early picture using product placement, beginning with the Bekins Moving Van. It's fun to look sharp for the other examples throughout the movie.

I won't rehash the plot. Wikipedia does that: http://is.gd/eIquTN. I found IMPACT a better-than-average movie. IMDb.com gives it 7/10 stars. It's not real gritty for noir, but I give props to Donlevy for a creditable acting performance. The plot twists dropped in during the third act are deftly done. More entertaining than memorable.