The Accused

The Accused is a 1949 American film noir drama film directed by William Dieterle and written by Ketti Frings, based on Be Still, My Love, a 1947 novel written by June Truesdell. The film stars Loretta Young and Robert Cummings. Plot Wilma Tuttle (Young) is a college professor who becomes the target of sexual interest from her student Bill Perry (Douglas Dick). When Perry tries to rape Tuttle, she beats him to death with an auto part, unintentionally, in a terrified effort at self defense. She covers up her crime by making it seem as though Perry was killed while diving into the sea from a precipitous cliff. As she follows the police investigation into Perry's death, Wilma realizes that she'll never be able to escape her conscience, especially when she falls in love with Warren Ford (Cummings), the dead boy's guardian. Cast Loretta Young as Dr. Wilma Tuttle Robert Cummings as Warren Ford Wendell Corey as Lt. Ted Dorgan Sam Jaffe as Dr. Romley Douglas Dick as Bill Perry Suzanne Dalbert as Susan Duval Sara Allgood as Mrs. Conner Mickey Knox as Jack Hunter George Spaulding as Dean Rhodes Francis Pierlot as Dr. Vinson Ann Doran as Miss Rice, Nurse Carole Mathews as Waitress Billy Mauch as Harry Brice Henry Travers as Blakely - Romley's Assistant (uncredited)