CONNECTION TO PREVIOUS ENTRY: Wendell Corey
SOURCE: Personal Collection, Olive Films Blu Ray
STARRING: Barbara Stanwyck, Wendell Corey, Paul Kelly
CO-STARS: Joan Tetzel, Stanley Ridges, Richard Rober
DIRECTOR: Robert Siodmak
STUDIO: Paramount
SUMMARY:
The film opens with Assistant District Attorney, Cleve Marshall (Corey), who reveals to his boss, District Attorney Miles Scott (Kelly), that he is planning on staying late at work. Not staying late to work, but just staying late at work. He’s planning on sitting there getting drunk, as he does not want to go home. It is his and his wife, Pam’s (Tetzel) wedding anniversary. Cleve resents the amount of influence Pam’s father exerts over his daughter, and consequently their marriage. Knowing that his father-in-law will be present, Cleve would just assume miss the entire affair. Cleve fits the classic film noir trope of the unhappily married husband, bored with his domestic life and especially his wife who is seemingly more interested in the children, their home, and keeping up appearances, than with him. That evening, after polishing off almost an entire bottle of whiskey, Thelma Jordon (Stanwyck) walks in, looking for the district attorney. She wants to report a series of attempted break-ins at her aunt’s home. Cleve tries to help her, but is so inebriated that she’d just assume leave and come back when Miles is present. Cleve then tries to ask Thelma out for a drink (because obviously he needs more). She is ready to turn him down when he offers to “fix” her parking ticket. Feeling indebted to him, Thelma agrees to go out. This starts a whirlwind romance with Cleve getting caught up with the mysterious Thelma. When Thelma’s aunt turns up dead and Thelma is the prime suspect, Cleve finds himself working both sides of the case.
FAVORITE PART(S):
1) Barbara Stanwyck’s awesome Woody car that she drives in the film.
2) The classic boring, naggy wife trope that leads to Cleve embarking on this affair.
3) The excellent twist during the third act of the film.
4) Seeing Barbara Stanwyck’s brother, Bert Stevens, as part of her defense team.
5) Stanwyck’s very unrealistic appearance during her final scene in the film.
BEST QUOTE(S):
THELMA: I’m no good for any man for any longer than a kiss!
THELMA: I wish so much crime didn’t take place after dark. It’s so unnerving.
CLEVE: One more dance.
THELMA: Not now, Cleve, it’s late.
CLEVE: This is wonderful. ‘S our anniversary. How long has it been? Three hours.