Backfire (1950): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Backfire is a 1950 mystery thriller directed by Vincent Sherman, starring Edmond O'Brien as Steve Connolly, Gordon MacRae and Virginia Mayo. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. Stream it on TCM, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Vincent Sherman
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Backfire About?
The premise of Backfire without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After being discharged from a military hospital, ex‑GI Bob Corey sets out to find his old army buddy Steve Connolly. Connolly, a reformed criminal, is fleeing a false murder charge, and Corey hopes to prove his innocence. Accompanying them is Army nurse Julie Benson, who has fallen in love with Corey, adding tension as they navigate danger.
Backfire Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- veterans hospital
- detective
- double identity
- mystery killer
- austrian woman
- back injury
- hotel maid
- premonition
- cairn terrier
- crooked gambler
- false accusation of murder
- chinese cook
+38 more Show fewer
- serial killer
- man woman romance
- female nightclub singer
- new year's eve
- holiday movie
- holiday romance
- christmas movie
- murder
- backfire
- ballistics
- secret identity
- missing person
- shot through window
- bitch slap
- pistol whipped
- black janitor
- chinese american
- funeral home
- record player
- phonograph record
- psychopath
- ambulance
- hotel bill
- boxing match
- boxing
- interrogation
- police station
- pet dog
- police detective
- mortuary
- hotel
- hotel lobby
- cigarette smoking
- chinese
- b movie
- year 1948
- patient in love with nurse
- best friends
Where to Watch Backfire
Stream it on TCM, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Backfire Cast & Characters
Edmond O'Brien leads the cast as Steve Connolly, with Gordon MacRae as Bob Corey and Virginia Mayo as Nurse Julie Benson. Directed by Vincent Sherman; 51 actors are credited in all.
- Director Vincent Sherman
-
Edmond O'Brien as Steve Connolly - Gordon MacRae as Bob Corey
-
Virginia Mayo as Nurse Julie Benson - Ed Begley as Capt. Garcia
Also Starring in Backfire
· 47 more- Richard Rober Solly Blayne
- Frances Robinson Mrs. Blayne
- Ida Moore Sybil (uncredited)
- Dane Clark Ben Arno
- Viveca Lindfors Lysa Radoff
- Sheila MacRae Bonnie Willis
- Leonard Strong Lee Quong (uncredited)
- Mack Williams Dr. Herbert Anstead (uncredited)
- Jack Mower Detective George (uncredited)
- Charles Lane Dr. Nolan (uncredited)
- Mike Lally Party Guest (uncredited)
- Fred Kelsey Fight Fan (uncredited)
- Dick Gordon Party Guest (uncredited)
- Charles Sherlock Party Guest (uncredited)
- Creighton Hale Cab Driver (uncredited)
- John Ridgely Plainclothesman (uncredited)
Show all 51 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Carl M. Leviness Canteen Customer (uncredited)
- Monte Blue Det. Sgt. Pluther (uncredited)
- Max Linder Canteen Customer (uncredited)
- John Dehner Blake - Plainclothes Cop (uncredited)
- Philo McCullough Police Car Driver (uncredited)
- Paul Bradley Guest (uncredited)
- Jack Perrin Fremont Hotel Lobby Loafer (uncredited)
- Douglas Kennedy Voice Heard on Radio (voice) (uncredited)
- Harry Woods Dick Manning - Man from Detroit (uncredited)
- Harry Seymour Rocky - Pianist (uncredited)
- James Gonzalez Club Patron (uncredited)
- Edward Biby Fight Fan (uncredited)
- Joe Gilbert Fight Fan (uncredited)
- Jack Hill Cop at Shootout (uncredited)
- John Daheim Bingo - Prizefighter (uncredited)
- Russ Conway Police Broadcaster (uncredited)
- Ray Montgomery Attendant (uncredited)
- Charles Jordan Cab Driver (uncredited)
- Helen Westcott Miss Haller - Receptionist at Mortuary (uncredited)
- Clifton Young Cabby (uncredited)
- Vinton Hayworth Waiter (uncredited)
- David Hoffman Burns
- Pierce Lyden Detective (uncredited)
- Waclaw Rekwart Bartender (uncredited)
- Ernest Anderson James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited)
- Anthony Redondo Man on Sidewalk (uncredited)
- Will Lee Cab Driver (uncredited)
- Frankie Van Second (uncredited)
- J. Louis Johnson Hommel - Janitor (uncredited)
- Mike Killian Quong's Doctor (uncredited)
- Santiago Martínez Waiter (uncredited)
Backfire Plot Summary
What happens in Backfire from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Bob Corey is an American soldier who, badly wounded at the end of World War II, lies in a military hospital undergoing several spine surgeries. He has quietly fallen for Julie Benson, the nurse who cares for him, and his old comrade Steve Connolly arrives with plans to buy a ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. Together, the two men pool their G.I. benefits, totaling $40,000, to start a new life after the war.
Full summary
The whole story of Backfire, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Backfire?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is the total amount of G.I. benefits that Bob Corey and Steve Connolly pool together?
Cars in Backfire
8 cars on screen, including the 1940 Buick Special and the 1936 De Soto Airstream.
-
1940 Buick Special Important role -
1936 De Soto Airstream Important role -
1947 Ford Super De Luxe Minor role -
1949 Lincoln Convertible Coupe Minor role
Backfire Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Pasión desenfrenada” and “Alguém Deixou Este Mundo”.
- Also known as
-
- Pasión desenfrenada
- Alguém Deixou Este Mundo
- Fuoco alle spalle
Seen Backfire?
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Backfire FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Backfire, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Backfire?
Backfire runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Backfire released?
Backfire was released on January 26, 1950.
Who directed Backfire?
Backfire was directed by Vincent Sherman.
More films by Vincent Sherman Who is in the cast of Backfire?
Backfire stars Edmond O'Brien as Steve Connolly, Gordon MacRae as Bob Corey and Virginia Mayo as Nurse Julie Benson, among 51 credited actors.
Where can I watch Backfire?
In the US, Backfire is streaming on TCM and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
Does Backfire have a post-credit scene?
No. Backfire has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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