NOT WANTED

Cinemavixion Review

Elmer Clifton's 'Not Wanted,' co-directed with Ida Lupino, offers a stark and unflinching look at the consequences of impulsive choices in post-war America. Sally Forrest delivers a poignant performance as Sally Kelton, a young woman whose naive infatuation with a traveling musician leads to a devastating spiral of heartbreak and guilt. The film navigates the social stigma surrounding unwed mothers with a sensitivity that was remarkable for its time, exploring themes of societal judgment and personal responsibility. Forrest's portrayal is imbued with a quiet desperation that resonates deeply, supported by Keefe Brasselle as the charming but ultimately callous musician and Leo Penn as a sympathetic local. Despite its melodramatic premise, 'Not Wanted' succeeds through its earnestness and its commitment to portraying the emotional toll of a single mistake, making it a compelling, albeit somber, cinematic experience that holds up remarkably well.