Having been preceded by some other more-notable Gothic melodramas such as "Suspicion" (1941) and "Gaslight" (1944), this "woman-in-danger movie" is undeniably derivative but certainly not without merit. Its well-developed plot about an elaborate conspiracy starts off brightly and remains thoroughly absorbing right up to its well-staged conclusion. Adultery, insanity and betrayal are some of its main themes and with much of the action taking place in the heavily-shadowed interiors of an old mansion, the atmosphere is often rather creepy.
Wealthy New York socialite Alison Courtland (Claudette Colbert) wakes up on the night train to Boston with no memory of how she got there and after recovering from her hysterical state, arrangements are made for her to return to her home where her husband Richard (Don Ameche) has already reported her disappearance to the police. On the flight home, Alison travels with Bruce Elcott (Robert Cummings) who's a friend of one of her old school friends that she met at the airport. Bruce is strongly attracted to Alison and she enjoys his company and invites him to visit her mansion in Sutton Place.
Following Alison's latest disappearance and her penchant for sleepwalking, Richard arranges for her to see a psychiatrist called Dr Rhinehart and despite her initial reluctance, Alison agrees to co-operate when her husband convinces her that, before going on her train journey, she'd shot him in the arm whilst sleepwalking. The man who presents himself as Dr Rhinehart (Ralph Morgan) wears thick horn-rimmed glasses and has a threatening manner which leaves Alison feeling intimidated. Later, when it becomes clear that the man Alison had seen was an impostor, it seems possible to the other members of the household that she might have simply imagined the whole episode.
When Richard says that he's unable to go to a party that he and Alison had planned to go to, Bruce takes her instead to the wedding of his good friend and "honorary brother" Jimmy Lin (Keye Luke). On returning home, Alison freaks out when she sees the phony psychiatrist again but once more, she's the only person who sees him. Bruce doesn't believe that Alison's seeing things and later that night returns to her home where he sees her balancing precariously on a balcony and by shining a light in her face, prevents her from falling. This incident makes Bruce very suspicious and his subsequent investigations uncover the existence of a conspiracy involving Richard, the phony psychiatrist (who's actually a photographer called Charles Vernay) and a young woman called Daphne (Hazel Brooks).
Don Ameche is tremendously smooth and smarmy as the adulterous architect Richard who uses a variety of means (including drugs and hypnosis) to try to get his wife to either commit suicide or be certified insane so that he can inherit her fortune and marry his mistress (Daphne). Daphne's greed is exemplified when she says of Alison "I want what she's got. I want all of it. I want her house, her name, her man and I want them now, tonight". Claudette Colbert by contrast, makes Alison a very sincere victim who's understandably confused and alarmed by much of what takes place but also, interestingly, shows a more natural and easy-going side when she enjoys her time at the Chinatown wedding with Bruce.
Robert Cummings is light-hearted, lively and amusing as the charming Bruce and Ralph Morgan and Hazel Brooks both do well in their important supporting roles.
"Sleep, My Love" is beautifully photographed with some great expressionistic compositions, off-kilter camera angles and an extremely high staircase that all contribute strongly to the rather disconcerting atmosphere of this very enjoyable movie.
Wealthy New York socialite Alison Courtland (Claudette Colbert) wakes up on the night train to Boston with no memory of how she got there and after recovering from her hysterical state, arrangements are made for her to return to her home where her husband Richard (Don Ameche) has already reported her disappearance to the police. On the flight home, Alison travels with Bruce Elcott (Robert Cummings) who's a friend of one of her old school friends that she met at the airport. Bruce is strongly attracted to Alison and she enjoys his company and invites him to visit her mansion in Sutton Place.
Following Alison's latest disappearance and her penchant for sleepwalking, Richard arranges for her to see a psychiatrist called Dr Rhinehart and despite her initial reluctance, Alison agrees to co-operate when her husband convinces her that, before going on her train journey, she'd shot him in the arm whilst sleepwalking. The man who presents himself as Dr Rhinehart (Ralph Morgan) wears thick horn-rimmed glasses and has a threatening manner which leaves Alison feeling intimidated. Later, when it becomes clear that the man Alison had seen was an impostor, it seems possible to the other members of the household that she might have simply imagined the whole episode.
When Richard says that he's unable to go to a party that he and Alison had planned to go to, Bruce takes her instead to the wedding of his good friend and "honorary brother" Jimmy Lin (Keye Luke). On returning home, Alison freaks out when she sees the phony psychiatrist again but once more, she's the only person who sees him. Bruce doesn't believe that Alison's seeing things and later that night returns to her home where he sees her balancing precariously on a balcony and by shining a light in her face, prevents her from falling. This incident makes Bruce very suspicious and his subsequent investigations uncover the existence of a conspiracy involving Richard, the phony psychiatrist (who's actually a photographer called Charles Vernay) and a young woman called Daphne (Hazel Brooks).
Don Ameche is tremendously smooth and smarmy as the adulterous architect Richard who uses a variety of means (including drugs and hypnosis) to try to get his wife to either commit suicide or be certified insane so that he can inherit her fortune and marry his mistress (Daphne). Daphne's greed is exemplified when she says of Alison "I want what she's got. I want all of it. I want her house, her name, her man and I want them now, tonight". Claudette Colbert by contrast, makes Alison a very sincere victim who's understandably confused and alarmed by much of what takes place but also, interestingly, shows a more natural and easy-going side when she enjoys her time at the Chinatown wedding with Bruce.
Robert Cummings is light-hearted, lively and amusing as the charming Bruce and Ralph Morgan and Hazel Brooks both do well in their important supporting roles.
"Sleep, My Love" is beautifully photographed with some great expressionistic compositions, off-kilter camera angles and an extremely high staircase that all contribute strongly to the rather disconcerting atmosphere of this very enjoyable movie.