"Tension" is an offbeat film noir with a far-fetched story. However, it's still worth a look today if only for it's two fascinating stars, Richard Basehart and Cyd Charisse.
The story is told from the point of view of Police Lt. Bonnabel (Barry Sullivan). He tells how Warren Quimby, played by Richard Basehart, the night manager of a drug store, is unhappily married to his wife, Claire Quimby (Audrey Totter). Although he is devoted to her, she has blatant affairs with other men who offer the excitement straight-laced Warren can't. She leaves him for Barney Deager, a liquor salesman who owns a house on the beach.
Richard Basehart never gave a bad performance. With that leonine head and great voice he was an arresting presence, and he makes believable his milquetoast character who eventually grows in stature.
When Warren goes to the beach to get Claire back, Barney beats him up and leaves him lying in the sand. Rather than take the Charles Atlas bodybuilding course after having sand kicked in his face, Warren plans to kill Barney. In order not to be caught, he assumes another identity – Paul Sothern. He rents an apartment under his new name, and finds enormous power in replacing his spectacles with contact lenses.
At his new apartment complex, he meets Mary Chanler played by Cyd Charisse. When I first saw this film on TV, I missed the titles and didn't recognise the striking actress who first appeared at Paul Sothern's apartment astride the stairs with her camera. In fact, this was Cyd Charisse's first dramatic, non-singing, non-dancing role. Cinematographer, Harry Stradling, went to town on her in "Tension", using the great chiaroscuro lighting effects of that era to highlight her features. The costume department also seemed inspired, dressing her in understated, but elegant designs that enhanced her natural grace and style. Although she played it low-key, "Tension" revealed how beautiful she was even when she sat still.
Of course, Warren hits it off with Mary straight away, and changes his mind about killing Barney. However, someone else murders him, and suspicion falls on Paul Sothern. When his wife wants to return to him, Warren rejects her; seeing a better life for himself with Mary.
Using some unorthodox police procedures, Lt. Bonnabel wines, dines and smoozes the real perpetrator of the crime and solves the mystery. Finally, Warren squares things with the ever-tolerant Mary before the fadeout.
Like many film noirs, the characters are impulsive – after obsessive pursuit of his wife for the first half of the movie, Barney switches allegiance to Cyd Charisse's character almost as soon as he meets her. Despite some wild plotting, the film benefits from being shot on location, and has two stars, Cyd Charisse and Richard Basehart, that give it a definite touch of class.
The story is told from the point of view of Police Lt. Bonnabel (Barry Sullivan). He tells how Warren Quimby, played by Richard Basehart, the night manager of a drug store, is unhappily married to his wife, Claire Quimby (Audrey Totter). Although he is devoted to her, she has blatant affairs with other men who offer the excitement straight-laced Warren can't. She leaves him for Barney Deager, a liquor salesman who owns a house on the beach.
Richard Basehart never gave a bad performance. With that leonine head and great voice he was an arresting presence, and he makes believable his milquetoast character who eventually grows in stature.
When Warren goes to the beach to get Claire back, Barney beats him up and leaves him lying in the sand. Rather than take the Charles Atlas bodybuilding course after having sand kicked in his face, Warren plans to kill Barney. In order not to be caught, he assumes another identity – Paul Sothern. He rents an apartment under his new name, and finds enormous power in replacing his spectacles with contact lenses.
At his new apartment complex, he meets Mary Chanler played by Cyd Charisse. When I first saw this film on TV, I missed the titles and didn't recognise the striking actress who first appeared at Paul Sothern's apartment astride the stairs with her camera. In fact, this was Cyd Charisse's first dramatic, non-singing, non-dancing role. Cinematographer, Harry Stradling, went to town on her in "Tension", using the great chiaroscuro lighting effects of that era to highlight her features. The costume department also seemed inspired, dressing her in understated, but elegant designs that enhanced her natural grace and style. Although she played it low-key, "Tension" revealed how beautiful she was even when she sat still.
Of course, Warren hits it off with Mary straight away, and changes his mind about killing Barney. However, someone else murders him, and suspicion falls on Paul Sothern. When his wife wants to return to him, Warren rejects her; seeing a better life for himself with Mary.
Using some unorthodox police procedures, Lt. Bonnabel wines, dines and smoozes the real perpetrator of the crime and solves the mystery. Finally, Warren squares things with the ever-tolerant Mary before the fadeout.
Like many film noirs, the characters are impulsive – after obsessive pursuit of his wife for the first half of the movie, Barney switches allegiance to Cyd Charisse's character almost as soon as he meets her. Despite some wild plotting, the film benefits from being shot on location, and has two stars, Cyd Charisse and Richard Basehart, that give it a definite touch of class.