Barbara Stanwyck and Kirk Douglas got top billing on the VHS and DVD boxes I've seen but the real stars of this movie are Van Heflin and Lizabeth Scott, the likable albeit corrupt two of the foursome.
This is listed as a crime movie, a film noir, but at times is much more of a melodrama than anything else. It's a little too talky for my tastes yet I still enjoyed it because the acting is top-shelf, the dialog is fun and you get involved with the characters. The film could have used more action. With the 'soap' angle, it reminded me a bit of another melodramatic noir, Mildred Pierce, except the latter is a better film.
This was Douglas' first major role and he handled it well. It's no surprise he went on to be big star. I never thought Scott was all that beautiful, but she looked very good here, the best I've seen her.
This is listed as a crime movie, a film noir, but at times is much more of a melodrama than anything else. It's a little too talky for my tastes yet I still enjoyed it because the acting is top-shelf, the dialog is fun and you get involved with the characters. The film could have used more action. With the 'soap' angle, it reminded me a bit of another melodramatic noir, Mildred Pierce, except the latter is a better film.
This was Douglas' first major role and he handled it well. It's no surprise he went on to be big star. I never thought Scott was all that beautiful, but she looked very good here, the best I've seen her.