Tough girl Joan Bennett has her hands full when she marries night club owner George Raft whose illegal activities result in him being in prison in Alcatraz. While determined to wait for him until his release,this is silicon she meets and falls in love with the noble Walter Pidgeon. But thanks to the jealous Lloyd Nolan, one of Raft's old business associates, her husband finds out about everything and plans on escape convention self.
One of the early masters of Film Noir, director Fritz Lang take great detail in showing the dark side of humanity and presents a very intriguing story that has familiar aspects but inside there is a unique way in which its structure is presented. Gladys George is an instant scene stealer as the fellow wife of an unseen Alcatraz inmate who befriends Bennett on the visitors boat and is instrumental in her meeting Pidgeon. George even sings a few refrains of That Old Feeling, which was heard in a musical starring Bennett, Vogues of 1938, produced by her husband at the time Walter Wanger who also produce this.
Early in the creation of that genre known as film noir, there are many great moments that show the potential that Bennett had begun to achieve when she changed her hair color. Rather bland as a blonde, she opened up her range with just one physical change. Raft is fine but lacks enough screen time to really create a unique character, and Walter Pidgeon basically plays himself. This leaves Bennett along with supporting players Nolan and George to make the film truly shine. Unfortunately, the film lacks the exciting conclusion that you would expect from the situation rising. Other than that, it is highly recommended.
One of the early masters of Film Noir, director Fritz Lang take great detail in showing the dark side of humanity and presents a very intriguing story that has familiar aspects but inside there is a unique way in which its structure is presented. Gladys George is an instant scene stealer as the fellow wife of an unseen Alcatraz inmate who befriends Bennett on the visitors boat and is instrumental in her meeting Pidgeon. George even sings a few refrains of That Old Feeling, which was heard in a musical starring Bennett, Vogues of 1938, produced by her husband at the time Walter Wanger who also produce this.
Early in the creation of that genre known as film noir, there are many great moments that show the potential that Bennett had begun to achieve when she changed her hair color. Rather bland as a blonde, she opened up her range with just one physical change. Raft is fine but lacks enough screen time to really create a unique character, and Walter Pidgeon basically plays himself. This leaves Bennett along with supporting players Nolan and George to make the film truly shine. Unfortunately, the film lacks the exciting conclusion that you would expect from the situation rising. Other than that, it is highly recommended.