A fine and under rated film noir for many reasons except one, which is that the Paul Henreid character impersonates another one called Dr Bartok but with a huge scar on the wrong cheek. One doesn't mind suspending belief but this was a bit too much. Indeed the scar plot point itself could have been dispensed with as the outcome was not due to Dr Bartok's looks but his behaviour. The scar thing felt gimmicky, which is a shame as it mars an engrossing thriller.
Henreid is better than he is in most of his films, giving a deep and interesting performance and he is matched by Joan Bennett. Their scenes together are splendid, indeed the dialogue in the whole film is very well written. The film is supported by some magnificent photography, the real epitome of film noir. The whole atmosphere has that doomed and helpless quality which is great, if you like that sort of thing! This is well worth discovering. The director Steve Sekeley never did anything better.
Henreid is better than he is in most of his films, giving a deep and interesting performance and he is matched by Joan Bennett. Their scenes together are splendid, indeed the dialogue in the whole film is very well written. The film is supported by some magnificent photography, the real epitome of film noir. The whole atmosphere has that doomed and helpless quality which is great, if you like that sort of thing! This is well worth discovering. The director Steve Sekeley never did anything better.