A superior Hollywood film noir melodrama as a golddigging actor marries a wealthy heiress with intent on her fortune.
A successful playwright in her own right, heiress Myra Hudson (Joan Crawford – Mildred Pierce, Torch Song) finds herself in the company of Lester Blaine (Jack Palance – Shane, City Slickers) on the train from New York to her home in Los Angeles. They hit it off – so much so and ignoring all voiced concerns, they marry. It all seems so idyllic – until Irene Neves (Gloria Grahame – The Big Heat, It’s a Wonderful Life) turns up from out east.
Suspenseful melodrama, spot-on claustrophobic cinematography (the Oscar-winning Charles Lang – Sabrina, A Farewell to Arms) and well paced soundtrack (Elmer Bernstein) combine to create a gripping yet surprisingly under-appreciated film noir from director David Miller (The Story of Esther Costello, Captain Newman, M.D.).
Nominated for 4 Oscars in 1953 – best actress, supporting actor, cinematography, costume design.
Rating: 68%
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