Though an independent production, IMPACT was an "A" picture all the way, with major stars, high production values and a crew of first-rank Hollywood creative talent. Producer Harry M. Popkin's most memorable film is D.O.A., a true film noir released in 1950. Famed cinematographer Ernest Laszlo is noted for such film noir classics as D.O.A., Kiss Me Deadly, The Big Knife and While the City Sleeps, along with such other notable films as Stalag 17, Judgment at Nuremburg, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Airport and Logan's Run. Story and screenplay co-writer Jay Dratler is credited with collaborating on the script for the noir classic Laura.
While the "official" release date is listed as March 20, 1949 in New York City, what was termed the "World Premier" was held at the Lark Theater at 8:00 PM April 27, 1949. The proceeds for the event (ticket price $2.00) went to the recreation, park and swimming pool fund of the Larkspur-Corte Madera Lions Club. (This information from the June 1949 edition of my brother Will's home-made newspaper, the "Telegram-Bulletin.")
