THE DARK CORNER (20th Century-Fox, 1946), directed by Henry Hathaway, became the studio's attempt for another "film noir" mystery success, following the pattern of earlier classics as I WAKE UP SCREAMING (1941) and LAURA (1944). As much as this edition might have reteamed Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews from LAURA, only Clifton Webb was brought back to enact basically the same type of character he did previously. Interestingly, this tense mystery stars Lucille Ball, best known for comedy, in a rare dramatic role. However, the formula belongs to the fourth billed Mark Stevens, a young actor who started in films under his real name of Stephen Richards before using his professional name. Though THE DARK CORNER was star making material for Stevens, he didn't become a new movie tough guy as Paramount's own Alan Ladd. Acting in a similar style of Ladd, Stevens could have become the studio's answer to Alan Ladd - but didn't. He appeared in other "film noir" mysteries along with other genres as comedy and musicals, but none with that impact to success as THE DARK CORNER.
Following the opening credits to the underscoring to Max Steiner's classic "Street Scene Theme," the story gets underway in the Third Avenue district of New York City where Bradford Galt (Mark Stevens), formerly of San Francisco, is introduced as a private investigator opening his new office. He has a loyal secretary, Kathleen Stuart (Lucille Ball), who knows nothing about his background, namely having served two years in prison for manslaughter. Though innocent, Brad intends on not having the presence of Lieutenant Frank Reeves (Reed Hadley) prevent him from succeeding in his legitimate business. Taking Kathleen out for the evening at an arcade, she tells Brad they're being stalked by a man in a white suit (William Bendix). Arranging for Kathleen to take a taxi and have the cabbie await in front of his office building to later follow the stalker's whereabouts, Brad confronts "White Suit," takes him to his office and forces him to expose private information as to who hired him to have him followed. His reply is Anthony Jardine (Kurt Kreuger), Brad's former San Francisco partner for whom he served his prison sentence. Things become more complexed when Brad nearly getting run over by a speeding car to later be knocked unconscious at a meeting place to awaken next to the dead body of Jardine. After discovering Jardine was having an affair with Mari (Cathy Downs), wife to art gallery owner, Hardy Cathcart (Clifton Webb), Brad's dark corner of mystery is wondering why he's being set up for murder by someone he knows nothing about. The supporting players include Constance Collier (Mrs. Kingsley); Molly Lamont (Lucy Wilding) and Eddie Heywood and his Orchestra.
Dark, moody and scoreless, THE DARK CORNER ranks one of the finer mysteries of its time but not as well known as THE MALTESE FALCON (1941) or THE BIG SLEEP (1946). The sole interest today for watching THE DARK CORNER is not so much in watching Mark Stevens finest role but Lucille Ball years before achieving immortality as a television comedienne that began with "I Love Lucy: (1951-1957). Clifton Webb, better known for straightforward comedic roles starting with SITTING PRETTY (1948), comes second best as the husband obsessed by his wife along with the scene stealing William Bendix playing the fall guy. While Stevens character name of Bradford Galt may not fit into the class of other movie detectives as Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe, at least THE DARK CORNER benefits for Mark Stevens' career in his Alan Ladd-type performance.
Overlooked at times among the countless film noir/detective mysteries of the 1940s, THE DARK CORNER, which has become available on both video cassette and DVD, did have cable television broadcasts over the years, including American Movie Classics, Fox Movie Channel and Turner Classic Movies. (****)
Following the opening credits to the underscoring to Max Steiner's classic "Street Scene Theme," the story gets underway in the Third Avenue district of New York City where Bradford Galt (Mark Stevens), formerly of San Francisco, is introduced as a private investigator opening his new office. He has a loyal secretary, Kathleen Stuart (Lucille Ball), who knows nothing about his background, namely having served two years in prison for manslaughter. Though innocent, Brad intends on not having the presence of Lieutenant Frank Reeves (Reed Hadley) prevent him from succeeding in his legitimate business. Taking Kathleen out for the evening at an arcade, she tells Brad they're being stalked by a man in a white suit (William Bendix). Arranging for Kathleen to take a taxi and have the cabbie await in front of his office building to later follow the stalker's whereabouts, Brad confronts "White Suit," takes him to his office and forces him to expose private information as to who hired him to have him followed. His reply is Anthony Jardine (Kurt Kreuger), Brad's former San Francisco partner for whom he served his prison sentence. Things become more complexed when Brad nearly getting run over by a speeding car to later be knocked unconscious at a meeting place to awaken next to the dead body of Jardine. After discovering Jardine was having an affair with Mari (Cathy Downs), wife to art gallery owner, Hardy Cathcart (Clifton Webb), Brad's dark corner of mystery is wondering why he's being set up for murder by someone he knows nothing about. The supporting players include Constance Collier (Mrs. Kingsley); Molly Lamont (Lucy Wilding) and Eddie Heywood and his Orchestra.
Dark, moody and scoreless, THE DARK CORNER ranks one of the finer mysteries of its time but not as well known as THE MALTESE FALCON (1941) or THE BIG SLEEP (1946). The sole interest today for watching THE DARK CORNER is not so much in watching Mark Stevens finest role but Lucille Ball years before achieving immortality as a television comedienne that began with "I Love Lucy: (1951-1957). Clifton Webb, better known for straightforward comedic roles starting with SITTING PRETTY (1948), comes second best as the husband obsessed by his wife along with the scene stealing William Bendix playing the fall guy. While Stevens character name of Bradford Galt may not fit into the class of other movie detectives as Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe, at least THE DARK CORNER benefits for Mark Stevens' career in his Alan Ladd-type performance.
Overlooked at times among the countless film noir/detective mysteries of the 1940s, THE DARK CORNER, which has become available on both video cassette and DVD, did have cable television broadcasts over the years, including American Movie Classics, Fox Movie Channel and Turner Classic Movies. (****)
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