Review of Kind Lady

John Sturges directed this gem in 1951, before his great westerns and other classics. And in this first part of his career, he yet had a serious professional direction, often working with the best technicians, especiallly the director of photography, for example the master of expressionist black and white John Alton in "Mystery Street" and "People Against O'Hara". For "Kind Lady", John Sturges worked with Joseph Ruttenberg (compare their portraits), who always created a very precise cinematography, like John Alton. John Sturges must have learned a lot by working with these masters for his future classics. "Kind Lady" is the story of an old rich woman (wonderful Ethel Barrymore) hijacked by Maurice Evans (nearly as good as George Sanders) with help of Angela Lansbury, Betsy Blair and Keenan Wynn. The story and direction are fast-paced, the hijackers being faster and faster in their swindle. And I'll say it again, Ruttenberg's cinematography serves presicely all the details of this violent story shot in luxurious settings by William Ferrari and Cedric Gibbons. Music is by David Raksin. "Kind Lady" was already shot in 1935, both versions are available on a double bill dvd. Enjoy.