I am always amazed at Dick Powell's transition from bouyant singing star into the shadows and uncertainties of noir classics. He's absolutely delightful in the former -- and gives joy and heart to the songs he's given. Confident, good-looking, he seems to be laughing at life. In PITFALL -- it's as if his bubble has been burst -- the "perfect" home, job, family and friends have become simply routine in his mind. By venturing into the world of beautiful loser (as far as men are concerned) Lizbeth Scott -- Powell's wanderlust is satisfied only to find he's opened a "can of worms". Powell, Wyatt, Scott and Raymond Burr are effective and believable -- and the film is paced, photographed, and scripted with intelligence -- so that the viewer easily goes along for the ride. Powell's talent as an actor is underscored here. As his outlook on things changes he redefines "what he's had all along" with an underplayed, yet genuinely felt appreciation. Burr is especially chilling as the obsessed detective sent to get the goods on Lizbeth Scott. Kudos to de Toth.
