A film I thought promised more than it actually would deliver (after a moodily atmospheric beginning), but nonetheless "The Woman in White" is an earnestly crisp and broodingly scheming minor mystery / thriller that's brought to life by its exceptionally dramatic performances. Thanks namely of the hearty and eccentric turns by Sydney Greenstreet (who's simply great), Eleanor Parker, John Abbott and Agnes Moorehead.
A new tutor Walter Hartright (an artist) is hired at a country English estate, but on his way their on a brightly lit night through a forest. He encounters a lady dressed in white asking for help, but minutes later she's gone. After arriving at the estate, the next morning he thinks he encounters the lady again to find out she's not the one, despite the uncanny appearance, but actually Laura Fairlie who he'll be teaching. In the estate he finds himself amongst an odd collection of characters, which seem to have their own little secrets and when they hear that of Walter's encounter with the lady in white and his constant enquiries seem to open up a can of worms.
Director Peter Godfrey's sufficient handling is patiently slow-winding, but beautifully projected with the sweeping photography and atmospheric Victorian setting. Suspense makes little headway, as it's quite a talky piece (with a captivating script); dependent on its enlivened mystery (adapted off Wilkie Collins novel) and the cleverly implemented canvas work. Sure it can feel telegraphed and contrived in certain developments, but there are interesting psychological traits holding it together, solid character groundwork and impulsive actions in what is a fiendish layout capably pulled off. Also the rest of the central cast; Gig Young, Alexis Smith and John Emery lay on ably defined performances.
A new tutor Walter Hartright (an artist) is hired at a country English estate, but on his way their on a brightly lit night through a forest. He encounters a lady dressed in white asking for help, but minutes later she's gone. After arriving at the estate, the next morning he thinks he encounters the lady again to find out she's not the one, despite the uncanny appearance, but actually Laura Fairlie who he'll be teaching. In the estate he finds himself amongst an odd collection of characters, which seem to have their own little secrets and when they hear that of Walter's encounter with the lady in white and his constant enquiries seem to open up a can of worms.
Director Peter Godfrey's sufficient handling is patiently slow-winding, but beautifully projected with the sweeping photography and atmospheric Victorian setting. Suspense makes little headway, as it's quite a talky piece (with a captivating script); dependent on its enlivened mystery (adapted off Wilkie Collins novel) and the cleverly implemented canvas work. Sure it can feel telegraphed and contrived in certain developments, but there are interesting psychological traits holding it together, solid character groundwork and impulsive actions in what is a fiendish layout capably pulled off. Also the rest of the central cast; Gig Young, Alexis Smith and John Emery lay on ably defined performances.