This may not be the best film noir out there, but it certainly is my favorite. It's a shame is not wider known. You have murder, adultery, a policeman with very dubious investigation methods, a simple little guy mixed in terrible business and a femme fatale that can easily fit in a "Desperate House Wives" episode. Richard Basehart and Audrey Totter star as husband (Warren) and wife (Claire) trapped in a dead end marriage: he is a meek pharmacist who works the night shift in a drugstore in order to save enough money to achieve his little domestic American dream. Unfortunately his wife has much bigger dreams than that: she wants a bigger man, with a bigger wallet, a bigger car and
you get the idea. When she runs away with her lover and poor Warren's dream and self- esteem are shattered, Warren comes with a plan to kill the big man
a plan that is quite silly and that attracts most of the negative critics again this movie, but please think again: would you really expect a nice little guy as Warren to come with a brilliant killing scheme? Of course not! As silly as the murder plan is, it's perfectly adequate for Warren's character. Mr. Basehart is absolutely brilliant in his performance: he makes his pathetic character so likable that at times I just wanted to scream at my screen:" Warren dear, what are you doing? You silly man, you could get dozens of woman, just dump that bi**h of a wife and move on!" Mr. Basehart was the perfect nice guy next door involved in criminal business by fate or accident that was a recurrent type in film noirs. And Audrey Totter
she is so deliciously vicious as the femme fatale! She is one of a kind; you'll never find one like this in the entire film noir library. All other secondary players are equally great. In summary, try it! Don't let the apparently contrived plot drive you away, just enjoy the quintessential performances by Basehart and Totter.
