The Pretender (1947)

In a whirlwind of desperation and deceit, Kenneth Holden (Albert Dekker), a once reputable banker, finds himself on the precipice of ruin. In a dangerous gamble, he pilfers funds from a sizeable estate, a decision that sends him spiraling down a treacherous path. His only hope for redemption is to wed the estate's heiress, the enchanting Claire Worthington (Catherine Craig). Holden's web of treachery thickens as he learns that Claire's heart belongs to another, a young and promising doctor. Undeterred, Holden employs a shadowy assassin to extinguish this rival flame, providing him with an opportunity to play the knight in shining armor for Claire. Yet, in his haste, he neglects to uncover the true identity of the hitman. Claire, oblivious to her fiancé's looming danger, finds herself inexplicably drawn to Holden and ultimately ties the knot with him. In a cruel twist of fate, the marriage transforms Holden from the puppeteer into the puppet. Now the target of his own machinations, he must unravel the identity of the hired killer before it's too late. "The Pretender" (1947) is a gripping tale of love, greed, and desperation, where the hunter becomes the hunted, and the line between savior and villain blurs. One man's struggle for salvation becomes a desperate race against time, as every shadow could hide his potential doom.

The Pretender is a crime movie featuring Albert Dekker and directed by W. Lee Wilder.

The Pretender is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.