Director: Steve Sekely
Cast: Paul Henreid, Joan Bennett, Leslie Brooks, Eduard Franz
Have I Seen it Before: Never. Oddly enough, it was programmed as a surprise movie during Circle Cinema’s Noir Nights.
Did I Like It: It’s never the best idea to hinge a movie review on a comparison to another movie, even if the temptation is omnipresent. Comparing Alien (1979) with Aliens (1986) ought to be forgiven, to say nothing of using both films to illustrate just how objectively disappointing any other film featuring a Xenomorph proves to be*.
So, comparing this to Wicked Woman (1953) feels unfair. They’re completely unrelated, other than the fact that they make up the first two entries in this retrospective series. Wicked Woman was projected in 35mm, and on that front alone, the other film was an unusual treat, and experiencing this film is so much like every other film in the current age, just watching television on a slightly larger screen.
On the other hand, this is the far more assured and confident story. It unfolds with just enough pulpy nonsense to keep things lively, but most importantly all of the characters come to a—dark, grim—ending. It felt like a real, honest-to-god movie, and not a TV pilot that was a very appropriate pass from the network.
But what I would really like to talk about is a bit of movie theater comportment. I’d like to not be a stickler about these things, but there was a moment where I felt as if I was just immersed enough in the experience to believe I was in 1948 seeing the movie during its first run (digital vs 35mm not withstanding). And then some jerk’s cell phone went off. Illusion ruined. Seriously, folks. Silence your phones in the theater, but may God help you if you don’t silence your phone during retro screenings.
*When I started the review of this deep cut Noir film produced by one of the co-stars of Casablanca (1942), I did not think there would be quite so many references to xenomorphs, We’re here, though, and I think we probably better get used to it.