BETTY GRABLE and VICTOR MATURE were not the likeliest contenders back in the early '40s to be appearing in a creepy film noir sort of tale dished out by Fox. Usually, they could be counted on for much lighter stuff--particularly Grable, who usually starred in Fox's gaudy Technicolor musicals. Mature only came into noir by '47 with KISS OF DEATH.
But no matter. It's really LAIRD CREGAR who gets the spotlight here as a detective relentlessly pursuing Victor Mature as the killer--hoping to snag him in his net--if he can convince anyone that Mature is the real killer. Mature's only relationship to the dead girl (CAROLE LANDIS) is that he's the one who was closest to her at time of death, being that he was her agent trying to get her a Hollywood career rather than letting her remain in obscurity.
So, it becomes a game of cat-and-mouse and full of plot twists and the kind of deception that easily turns up in any film noir or mystery of this kind. And the deception appears to be obvious, at first. But--well, you have to see the film to see how the worm turns.
It's nothing really special but it does provide a few shivers along the way. Some of the Grable/Mature romantic moments go on a little too long (especially at the swimming pool) and once in awhile the plot drags. But by the time it winds up, it's been a pretty smooth ride into noir territory, thanks largely to LAIRD CREGAR and the dark shadow he casts over the whole story.
But no matter. It's really LAIRD CREGAR who gets the spotlight here as a detective relentlessly pursuing Victor Mature as the killer--hoping to snag him in his net--if he can convince anyone that Mature is the real killer. Mature's only relationship to the dead girl (CAROLE LANDIS) is that he's the one who was closest to her at time of death, being that he was her agent trying to get her a Hollywood career rather than letting her remain in obscurity.
So, it becomes a game of cat-and-mouse and full of plot twists and the kind of deception that easily turns up in any film noir or mystery of this kind. And the deception appears to be obvious, at first. But--well, you have to see the film to see how the worm turns.
It's nothing really special but it does provide a few shivers along the way. Some of the Grable/Mature romantic moments go on a little too long (especially at the swimming pool) and once in awhile the plot drags. But by the time it winds up, it's been a pretty smooth ride into noir territory, thanks largely to LAIRD CREGAR and the dark shadow he casts over the whole story.