So-so melodrama has a decent cast and a great director but somehow never takes off. Part of the problem is it's one of those movies where everybody talks like they're trying to be quotable. Like every line should be delivered like a poem. Also, Tourneur's direction is a bit of a disappointment. I'm a fan of his but this is a rather pedestrian workmanlike effort by him. George Brent and Paul Lukas are fine actors but here both seem miscast, particularly Lukas. Then there's Hedy Lamarr. I've never been a huge Hedy Lamarr fan. Of all the screen goddesses of the golden age she leaves me rather cold. I've enjoyed some of her films but she's not a favorite of mine. I find her acting OK, although it's strained in this picture. She seems stretched beyond her limits and her portrayal makes Allida seem mentally slow.
It's a fairly by-the-numbers flick in the Gaslight mold. But Gaslight was better in every respect. Obviously fans of Hedy Lamarr will probably enjoy it more than I did. So take that for what it's worth.
It's a fairly by-the-numbers flick in the Gaslight mold. But Gaslight was better in every respect. Obviously fans of Hedy Lamarr will probably enjoy it more than I did. So take that for what it's worth.