Drama thriller

Out of the Past (1947): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Name: Out of the Past
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance, Crime, Film-Noir
Released: 1947-12-01
Duration: 1 h 37 min
Cast: Robert Mitchum, Virginia Huston, Kirk Douglas, Steve Brodie, Jane Greer

Out of the Past is a 1947 drama thriller directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Robert Mitchum, Virginia Huston and Kirk Douglas. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes. Critics gave it 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.

IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Metascore: 85

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Watch the trailer Read the plot summary

Released: December 1, 1947
Runtime: 1h 37m (97 min)
Director: Jacques Tourneur
Genres: Drama , Thriller , Romance , Crime
Original language: English
Studio: RKO Radio Pictures
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Out of the Past About?

The premise of Out of the Past without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a small town, a high school student establishes a club for LGBTQ+ students, unexpectedly igniting a conflict between those embracing change and those resistant to it. A documentary explores the experiences of five remarkable individuals from American history who challenged conventional norms and faced adversity. Their compelling stories resonate with the modern fight for acceptance and equality, revealing the ongoing struggle for understanding and the courage it takes to stand up for what’s right.

Out of the Past Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags

gas station
acapulco mexico
haunted by the past
femme fatale
private detective
secret past
double cross
self sacrifice
based on novel
falling to death
forest
deaf mute

+38 more

flashback
small town
framed for murder
california
murder
lake tahoe
cabin
cigarette smoking
tax evasion
roadblock
diner
new york city
san francisco california
betrayal
briefcase
telephone book
kiss
los angeles california
station wagon
deception
death of protagonist
national film registry
gangster
mexico
falling off a cliff
mexico city
alias
lip reading
taxi
shot to death
rainstorm
mother daughter relationship
father daughter relationship
secretary
fishing
love triangle
blackmail
screenplay adapted by author

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Cast & crew

Out of the Past Cast

Robert Mitchum leads the cast, with Virginia Huston and Kirk Douglas. Directed by Jacques Tourneur; 10 actors are credited in all.

Director Jacques Tourneur

Also Starring in Out of the Past

· 6 more

From the director

More from Jacques Tourneur

More films directed by Jacques Tourneur, best-rated first: Cat People, Nightfall, War-Gods of the Deep and The Comedy of Terrors.

Full filmography

Ratings

Out of the Past Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Out of the Past 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.

IMDb

8.0 /10
See on IMDb
Metacritic

85 Metascore

User score 7.3
See on Metacritic
TMDB

76% User score
See on TMDB

Plot

Out of the Past Plot Summary

What happens in Out of the Past from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jeff Bailey, portrayed by Robert Mitchum, lives an unassuming life as a gas station owner in Bridgeport, California. He is in a relationship with local girl Ann Miller, played by Virginia Huston, and seems content with his quiet existence. However, his past is shrouded in mystery, a fact that soon begins to unravel when a stranger recognizes him and mentions that Whit Sterling, a notorious gambler played by Kirk Douglas, has been searching for him.

Full summary

The whole story of Out of the Past, scene by scene

Read the full summary

Timeline of events

Videos

Out of the Past Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.

Out of the Past Trailer: Out of the Past 1947 Trailer | Robert Mitchum — Out of the Past 1947 Trailer | Robert Mitchum

Clip Out of the Past 1947
Clip Six Cues of the Out of the Past Theme

Quiz

How Well Do You Know Out of the Past?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

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
Question 10: not answered

What is Jeff Bailey's occupation at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in Out of the Past

17 cars on screen, including the 1942 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Station Wagon and the 1937 Chevrolet Master De Luxe.

All 17 cars

1942 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Station Wagon Important role
1937 Chevrolet Master De Luxe Important role
1937 De Soto De Luxe Important role
1930 Ford Model A Important role

Details

Out of the Past Also Known As

30 alternative titles, including “Build My Gallows High” and “Retorno al pasado”.

Also known as: Build My Gallows High
Retorno al pasado
De greep van het verleden
От миналото
Fanget af fortiden
Varjot menneisyydestä
La griffe du passé
Αμαρτωλοί και δολοφόνοι
Kísért a múlt
Le catene della colpa
Czlowiek z przeszloscia
Din trecut

+18 more Show fewer

Skuggor ur det förflutna
Fuga ao Passado
Fuga do Passado
Goldenes Gift
かこをのがれて
Keçmişdən Qaçış
과거로부터
漩涡之外
O Arrependido
סיפור מהעבר
Из прошлого
Darağacımı Yükseğe Kur
Człowiek z przeszłością
З минулого
Pryč od minulosti
過去を逃れて
Retorn al passat
漩渦之外