What would San Francisco be without at least one cool chase scene and
what would a Film Noir be without Gloria Grahame playing the
the Gangster Bitch? And why did Joan Crawford always have a crazy wide-eyed
staring look portraying her roles?
The answer to question 1 is - Nothing. But the earlier chase sequences
in San Francisco mostly had people running on the streets and
with only some cars involved. It wasn't until Bullitt in 1968 that all
future chases would be done with cars, i guess.
The answer to question 2 is - Nothing, as Gloria did the Gangsta Bitch
better than anyone else. The answer to question 3 is - i do not know.
Maybe she really looked that way? Or, is it because she started out
in the 1920's in silent movies and adapted to that acting style?
Anyway, staring or not, Crawford is good and pitiable
as the very rich middle-aged (about 50 or so) playwright Myra Hudson
falling for
the slightly rough-looking young hunk actor Lester Blaine (Jack Palance).
He's a smooth talker and easily seduces the old fool when they
meet again on the train on their way from NY to San Francisco where
she has a house and a seaside villa. Then they marry.
The US DVD sleeve (not on the UK edition)
An older rich gullible woman married to a young rough-looking
man, in a Film Noir, normally doesn't bode to well for the old lady.
And not so here either, because when Lesters old girlfriend Irene (Gloria
Grahame) turns up they start scheming to get the money,
and when Myra accidently overhears Lester and Irene planning how and
when to murder her, she's to find out a way to stay alive.
This is a good and well made thriller with fine acting and with an early
San Francisco by night chase scene through the hilly streets.
The film is presented in 4:3 fullscreen original ratio,
black & white, DD mono english audio, region 2. No extras