This is a very simple sort of Noir-like film that director Fritz Lang did so well in the 1940s and 50s. Sadly, since his earlier career in Germany had been so successful, his work in Hollywood is generally seen as the director's decline. This is really a mistake because while these later films aren't earth-shaking like METROPOLIS or M, they are still very entertaining and hold up very well today. Try watching SCARLET STREET, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, THE BIG HEAT or THE BLUE GARDENIA and you'll see what I mean--excellent dramas that are well-directed and very entertaining. Why this is seen as his "slow period" of creativity is beyond me.
Anne Baxter plays a nice young lady who is unknowingly caught in the web of a master lecher, Raymond Burr. Because she is upset about her fiancé dumping her, she wants to have a night out and forget about her troubles--all the while Burr is plying her with liquor in order to be able to force himself on her more easily. Essentially, he's a very accomplished date rapist and Baxter is his next victim. However, despite being very drunk, Baxter is able to fight off Burr's rough advances using a fireplace poker.
The next morning, the events of the previous night are a blur to Baxter and she's surprised to learn that Burr is dead. Then, bit by bit, she comes to remember some of the events--as well as whomping Burr with the poker. As a result, she is quite scared and doesn't dare go to the police.
While today many might see the film's central quandary one that is a "non-issue" since she was about to be raped, in the 1950s it is NOT a foregone conclusion that she would have been found innocent in using deadly force to stop the attack. Nowadays, I assume it would have been much easier for her to be exonerated and she probably would have not done so much to try to cover up her actions. Because of this, I felt that Baxter's reaction to the incident wasn't necessarily that hard to believe.
As to what's next, I don't want to say more because there are several twists and turns that make this an interesting drama indeed. So interesting, I almost gave the film an 8.
Anne Baxter plays a nice young lady who is unknowingly caught in the web of a master lecher, Raymond Burr. Because she is upset about her fiancé dumping her, she wants to have a night out and forget about her troubles--all the while Burr is plying her with liquor in order to be able to force himself on her more easily. Essentially, he's a very accomplished date rapist and Baxter is his next victim. However, despite being very drunk, Baxter is able to fight off Burr's rough advances using a fireplace poker.
The next morning, the events of the previous night are a blur to Baxter and she's surprised to learn that Burr is dead. Then, bit by bit, she comes to remember some of the events--as well as whomping Burr with the poker. As a result, she is quite scared and doesn't dare go to the police.
While today many might see the film's central quandary one that is a "non-issue" since she was about to be raped, in the 1950s it is NOT a foregone conclusion that she would have been found innocent in using deadly force to stop the attack. Nowadays, I assume it would have been much easier for her to be exonerated and she probably would have not done so much to try to cover up her actions. Because of this, I felt that Baxter's reaction to the incident wasn't necessarily that hard to believe.
As to what's next, I don't want to say more because there are several twists and turns that make this an interesting drama indeed. So interesting, I almost gave the film an 8.