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 The Dark Corner (1946) is a typical film noir. The mood is heavy. The heroine is feisty and will stand by her man at all costs. And that man is in a whole lot of trouble. The shadows are deep, and there are plenty of cigarettes to go around. However, much of the violence in this film occurs stage front, not in the customary noir shadows. The film stars Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, William Bendix Kurt Kreuger and Mark Stevens.
Lucille Ball, Mark Stevens
Someone is out to frame Brad Galt (Stevens, The Street With No Name). He has a suspect and motive but soon will discover how very wrong he is. Kathleen (Ball), Galt's secretary, knows something isn't quite right when a New York City cop pays a visit to her boss. But she trusts Galt and is soon caught up in the web that ensnares them both.
Hardy Cathcart (Bendix) tails them, and he's so obvious that Galt knows a whole lot more is going on. Especially since Galt is an ex-con with a nefarious ex-partner whose frame sent Galt to prison. Without too much coaxing, Cathcart reveals that he was hired by Anthony Jardine (Kurt Kreuger, Christmas in Connecticut, 1945), Galt's ex-partner. Then Jardine is found dead in Galt's apartment and all the evidence points to Galt. With the help of Kathleen, Galt struggles to stay one step ahead of the police and clear his name.
William Bendix, Mark Stevens
Bendix (Lifeboat, 1944) is convincing as the man who gives Galt the misinformation that sets him down the path of twists and turns. Ball (Yours, Mine and Ours, 1968) is strong and beautiful as the loyal secretary/girlfriend, and there's not a hint in her serious performance that Lucy Ricardo is in our future. The story is interesting with some twists that will keep you guessing.
Bonus Features
€¢ Commentary by film historians Alain Silver & James Ursini
Director: Henry Hathaway
Screenplay: Jay Dratler and Bernard Schoenfeld; story - Leo Rosten
Cast: Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, William Bendix, Mark Stevens, Kurt Kreuger
Rating: Not Rated. (Not suitable for youngsters due to violence and smoking)
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
DVD Release Date: December 2, 2005
Run Time: 99 minutes
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Format: black & white, full frame
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox
Watch the trailer for The Dark Corner
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