Formula melodrama with noir overtones. Stock characters, situations, and complications. One annoying feature is the soft focus which is consistently used for Lizabeth Scott. I thought there was something wrong with my eyes. Her face is so diffused its almost featureless. The dialogue is standard snappy repartee. The actors snap at each other with witty banter, when they're not over emoting.
The look is old, old fashioned. Even in the contemporary scenes. It is noirish, with lots (lots) of night scenes. These people live in darkness. The old friend who happens to find himself back in Iverstown somehow manages to find a garage open at 11pm! There is a last call at the bar however.
One funny aspect is the check in to the hotel. The characters are given adjoining rooms, the inference is they will hook up. Obviously there is a sexual attraction suggested. But they end up switching bedrooms after Lizabeth Scott's character falls asleep on Van Heflins bed. What a gentleman.
The shared bath is used for slight comic relief when the desk clerk explains how half the rooms have baths. It's actually wittier than the cute banter between them. So 2 pts. For the scriptwriter.
The look is old, old fashioned. Even in the contemporary scenes. It is noirish, with lots (lots) of night scenes. These people live in darkness. The old friend who happens to find himself back in Iverstown somehow manages to find a garage open at 11pm! There is a last call at the bar however.
One funny aspect is the check in to the hotel. The characters are given adjoining rooms, the inference is they will hook up. Obviously there is a sexual attraction suggested. But they end up switching bedrooms after Lizabeth Scott's character falls asleep on Van Heflins bed. What a gentleman.
The shared bath is used for slight comic relief when the desk clerk explains how half the rooms have baths. It's actually wittier than the cute banter between them. So 2 pts. For the scriptwriter.
Tell Your Friends