The Unguarded Moment

1956
PG
1h 35m

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YOUR RATING

George Nader, John Saxon, and Esther Williams in The Unguarded Moment (1956)

A beautiful teacher is protective of a high school boy who sexually harassed her, and later he becomes a murder suspect.A beautiful teacher is protective of a high school boy who sexually harassed her, and later he becomes a murder suspect.A beautiful teacher is protective of a high school boy who sexually harassed her, and later he becomes a murder suspect.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

532

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos113

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Top cast31

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Esther Williams

Lois Conway

George Nader

Police Lt. Harry Graham

John Saxon

Leonard Bennett

Edward Andrews

Mr. Bennett

Les Tremayne

Mr. Pendleton

Jack Albertson

Prof

Dani Crayne

Josie Warren

John Wilder

Sandy Krupp

Edward Platt

Attorney Briggs
(as Edward C. Platt)

Eleanor Audley

Mr. Pendleton's Secretary

Robert B. Williams

Detective

Ralph Brooks

Teacher
(uncredited)

Helen Brown

Teacher
(uncredited)

Don Clark

Coach
(uncredited)

John Close

Detective
(uncredited)

Donna Cooke

Girl at Party
(uncredited)

Carol Coombs

Girl at Party
(uncredited)

Alan Dexter

Reporter
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The screenplay was based on an original story that Rosalind Russell had written for herself in the 40s. Her schedule was busy and by the time it was developed by Universal into a film in 1956, she was too old for the role. In addition, she had played a sexually frustrated, matronly teacher the previous year in "Picnic".

Goofs
When the kids enter the "Sugar Shack" at the end, the juke box suddenly begins playing music, even though no one is anywhere near it to start it.

Quotes
Mr. Bennett: Leonard, you have your mother's eyes... especially when you're telling a lie.

Crazy credits
Although John Saxon was billed conventionally in the opening titles, during the end titles there is one card listing the entire cast followed by a visual of John Saxon with the words "You have just seen a new personality JOHN SAXON."

Connections
Referenced in 'Jûsangô taihisen' yori: Sono gosôsha o nerae (1960)

User reviews14

Review

Featured review

5/10

'Teacher Dear'

Although Esther Williams got out of the pool in her first film outside MGM one look at this must have had her longing for her own set with water tank that MGM gave her.

Esther plays a high school music teacher who starts getting mash notes that are getting more and more explicit. They seem to be coming from a popular jock at her high school played by John Saxon. You'd think this kid could get about any girl in the school, but Saxon has issues, specifically dad issues and dad is played by the self righteous and repressed Edward Andrews.

Things aren't really handled well in fact the investigating detective who believes Esther is in danger is the only one who really has her back. George Nader is the detective, but he shouldn't have gotten involved with Williams while there was an active case. Not professional behavior, he should have been reprimanded or worse.

Next to her swim suit spectaculars at MGM, The Unguarded Moment comes off as distinctly second rate. Best in the film by far is Edward Andrews. He will really creep you out.

Esther's fans might be disappointed.