For most of my life I didn't realize that Rosiland Russell was such a prolific screen actress. I thought of her as mostly being a Broadway actress. Only in recent years have I discovered many of her films, and quite a few are very entertaining. However, there have been times -- and this film is one of them -- when I see what I consider to be "overacting" in her films. It almost seems to be some exaggerated "looks" that might be appropriate on the stage, but which look almost silent-film quality on the big screen. I noticed the trait here, particularly in the early scenes of the film surrounding a death.
However, this is an interesting film. I was interested in Leo Genn's performance, that here is so much better than his rather stilted performance in "Plymouth Adventure". A very good romantic lead here. And what makes his performance all the more intriguing is the witty (and sometimes cutting) dialog between Genn and Russell early in the film. It's delicious! Genn also supplies the biggest plot twist! And the way they lead into the conclusion is rather refreshing.
Overall, this is a psychological drama that's rather good, it's main problem being the slight overacting in a few places by Rosiland Russell. However, overall the film is good enough to overshadow that issue.
Claire Trevor is interesting here. I always thought she was a somewhat underrated actress. I was less impressed with Leon Ames. Ames had his place in films, as a supporting actor, but here his role is quite central, and he is no more than satisfactory. Frank McHugh is here in a rather unimpressive supporting role; which was more the level I always thought he was deserving of.
The story itself is quite good. A leading actress (Russell) chaffs at being under the romantic control of a Broadway producer (Ames). It's unintentional, but during a quarrel, she kills him, and the blame eventually falls on a supporting actress who does love him (Trevor). Who is sent in to investigate? Sydney Greenstreet (although he doesn't come into the film until 47 minutes into the film. Greenstreet is entertaining (as always), but let's face it, he only had one on screen persona).
However, this is an interesting film. I was interested in Leo Genn's performance, that here is so much better than his rather stilted performance in "Plymouth Adventure". A very good romantic lead here. And what makes his performance all the more intriguing is the witty (and sometimes cutting) dialog between Genn and Russell early in the film. It's delicious! Genn also supplies the biggest plot twist! And the way they lead into the conclusion is rather refreshing.
Overall, this is a psychological drama that's rather good, it's main problem being the slight overacting in a few places by Rosiland Russell. However, overall the film is good enough to overshadow that issue.
Claire Trevor is interesting here. I always thought she was a somewhat underrated actress. I was less impressed with Leon Ames. Ames had his place in films, as a supporting actor, but here his role is quite central, and he is no more than satisfactory. Frank McHugh is here in a rather unimpressive supporting role; which was more the level I always thought he was deserving of.
The story itself is quite good. A leading actress (Russell) chaffs at being under the romantic control of a Broadway producer (Ames). It's unintentional, but during a quarrel, she kills him, and the blame eventually falls on a supporting actress who does love him (Trevor). Who is sent in to investigate? Sydney Greenstreet (although he doesn't come into the film until 47 minutes into the film. Greenstreet is entertaining (as always), but let's face it, he only had one on screen persona).