This RKO Film Noir stands above a lot of the studios films in the late 1940's. There are lots of good folks in the cast. Even some of the unaccredited extras are known from other films. I thought I actually spotted an unaccredited Frank Cady (Hooterville Store Keeper Sam Drucker) in the Jury at the end of the film. Could just be another bald guy.Robert Young carries the film and the story is done flashback style from his court trial for murder. The writing is good as this writer who wrote the story could write as he also wrote the story for the Hitchcock classic - "Shadow Of A Doubt". The screen writer who adapted his story would later do some of the better scripts for TV's Perry Mason. This quality of writers shows up in the film script.I like the way the story is handled here because there are times flashback gets confusing. This one does not and the ending is really worth sticking around for. I watched the black and white version of this on TCM. RKO did this as a "B"film quite obviously by the length of the feature.This film is a feast for people who like a good noir and in a way Robert Young here is the father who knows best.

The first problem with this film is that there's no way you're going to like the lead character, played by Robert Young. He's a decided womanizer and as unfaithful as they come -- a wife and 2 lovers in just 95 minutes. Not to mention being a would-be murderer.The second problem with this film is that you're not going to like the wife (Rita Johnson), either. She's clearly manipulating her husband with her money.The third problem with this film is that you're not going to like the first "other woman", played by Jane Greer...well, you might have a little sympathy for her, and there's an interesting twist with this character.The fourth problem with this film is that you're not going to like the second "other woman", played by Susan Hayward. Clearly a gold digger.The fifth problem with this film is that there are just too many coincidences to be viable.Not liking a single main character is problematic for the film. Who does the audience root for? Nevertheless, as unbelievable as the story line may be, it's still pretty interesting with enough twists to keep your attention. And, while you won't like the characters, the acting is pretty decent.

Robert Young plays against type as a philandering and conniving cad who ends up on trial for murdering his girlfriend in the under-rated film noir classic, "They Won't Believe Me." His story, told in flashback as testimony at his murder trial, involves a list of 1940's beauties including Jane Greer and Susan Hayward. Rita Johnson is also in the cast as Young's long-suffering but very wealthy wife. She's hell-bent on saving their marriage even if it means moving to the desert with little communication to the outside world. Even those conditions don't stop Young from hooking up again with good-looking Ms. Hayward. Unfortunately, the two lovers crash into a big truck on the way to Reno and poor Susan gets burned to death in the process. When Robert the Cad wakes up in a daze at a local hospital, he finds out that the authorities think it's his wife that was left a charred mess. This gives him the impetus to go back to the desert ranch house and knock off unsuspecting Ms. Johnson so he can end up with her fortune. But when he arrives to kill her, he finds out that she already committed suicide after reading his farewell note. After dumping her body near an obscure stream, our rat-fink hero thinks he's home free. But it doesn't take long before people (and the LAPD) start looking for Ms. Hayward. She left some bad debts and was last seen with Young. And what better place to look for her than at Young's ranch? After trying to explain to the jury that these two lovely ladies just happened to turn up dead without his help, Young realizes that no one will ever believe that he was merely a victim of circumstance. Fat chance of that happening with the grim looking jurors staring at him with disapproval. "They Won't Believe Me" is a tawdry tale but well-acted and handled efficiently by journeyman director Irving Pichel. Young has never been better as the philandering husband, even if his character won't remind viewers of "Father Knows Best" and/or "Marcus Welby M.D." Jane Greer has the thankless role of playing one of his lovers who still believes in his basic goodness. Since Young doesn't exhibit the slightest bit of goodness during the entire film, viewers are left wondering about her state of mind. Gorgeous Susan Hayward almost steals the movie as Young's main squeeze. She's as ambitious and ruthless as he is, but doesn't deserve her violent end. The same can't be said for Young.

Still can't believe that I'm giving a Susan Hayward film **1/2 but I am.In 2012 this film could never be made. Ever hear of DNA?This is a different role for Robert Young and he wasn't quite up to it. He lacked the suave, debonair facade that the role required.If Greta really wanted to keep her marriage intact, why would she invite the aunt to join them in the house? The woman was suspicious of Young from the onset and he obviously couldn't stand her.The ending is an example of collective guilt. Jane Greer comes across as an understanding, kindly woman; but after all, she did have an affair with Young. Susan Hayward's part is genuine for her. She is conniving and calculated. Rita Johnson is the wife who seems to be understanding that her husband philanders. With the money she had, she didn't have to be like that.