The Dark Corner (1946)
Directed by Henry Hathaway

Film Review

A decade before she became the most familiar face on American television (with her shows I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show), Lucille Ball embarked on a career in the movies.  Given her innate talent for comedy, it comes as a surprise to see her in a straight dramatic role in this hardboiled film noir, but she fares admirably and is one of the film's many attractions.

With its stylish deep-focus photography, harsh lighting, ingenious use of shadows, and palpable aura of menace and mystery, The Dark Corner is the very epitome of classic American film noir.  Mark Stevens may not quite have the charisma of Humphrey Bogart or Alan Ladd, but cast as the victim caught in a web of deadly intrigue, he gives a convincing portrayal of a tough noir hero desperately fighting to preserve his skin, his sanity and his love life.  The star of the film is Clifton Webb who plays the deliciously suave villain Hardy Cathcart with a sinister camp relish, a reprise of a very similar role in Otto Preminger's film noir masterpiece Laura (1944).

The film was directed by Henry Hathaway, who is perhaps better known for his westerns, although he did direct one or two other film noirs, notably Kiss of Death (1947) and Call Northside 777 (1948).  Hathaway had a reputation as a hard taskmaster, known for his ill-treatment of actors, but his fastidiousness allowed him to achieve a high level of quality.  The Dark Corner may not be in the premier league of film noir thrillers, but it is certainly a polished and engaging film, with some fine performances, a well-honed script and a beautifully crafted noir look.

Film Synopsis

Shortly after opening a private detective agency in New York, Bradford Galt's unlucky past begins to catch up with him.  One evening, whilst dating his attractive secretary, Kathleen, he notices that he is being trailed by a strange man in a white suit.  The latter reveals that he is in the employ of Tony Jardine, Galt's former business partner.  Galt has every reason to hate Jardine.  When he was caught stealing money from their firm, Jardine set Galt up for a manslaughter charge which earned Galt a two-year prison stretch.  When Jardine is murdered, Galt is the obvious culprit.  Once again, Galt has been set up as the fall guy - but by whom, and for what purpose...?