The File on Thelma Jordon

So much has already been said about this film, so I don't have to elaborate. All I can say about this movie is "oh my!". The reason being is that during the late 40's and early 50's a film about infidelity, even though popular at the time (Nora Prentiss, The Postman Always Rings Twice) was viewed by many as taboo, but that didn't stop them from flocking to the local theater to see it! What puzzles me is that this film has been ignored. It is a well crafted movie with all the elements of a good film noir. It has crime, it has sex, it has deception and it has corruption throughout and it has great cinematography; what a perfect noir! If you have a chance to see this film on TCM, do yourself a favor and make a copy. You will not be disappointed.

This was probably the tail end of the first great Noir cycle but even if it does tend to flag a little it's still worth anyone's time. Stanwyck is on best scenery-chewing form and Paul Kelly is fine in a lower-billed role. Wendell Corey was, of course, prime lumber and wisely Siodmak doesn't give him anything difficult to do - like acting. The Stanwyck role is a first cousin to the one she played so brilliantly in Double Indemnity i.e. a femme fatale who uses her wiles on some poor sap who is a necessary means to her end whilst all the while there is another guy in the background. Siodmak was no slouch at noir or film-making in general and his professionalism keeps you watching to the bitter end. Definitely worth a look.

Perfectly decent noirish outing with excellent performance from Barbara Stanwyck, even if she has done much the same before. Small argument in my house where both my son and wife reckoned that the only problem was that they couldn't see the attraction of the femme fatale herself! I certainly beg to differ and feel most drawn to the feline duplicity of her sinister assuredness, but there we go. Even so a great tale that keeps twisting nicely so that even though you know she must be a baddie, the ever turning tale, especially when we get to court keeps you guessing. Wendell Corey is impressive as the assistant DA if not as a lover, but that's just me.

Wendell Corey had a long career in film and television. In this film he plays Cleve Marshall, an assistant DA who is staying late at the office to avoid going home on his anniversary because his father-in-law (Minor Watson) is there. While he knocking back shots as fast as he can pour them, in walks Thelma Jordan (Barbara Stanwyck) looking for help. Now, one would certainly be suspicious if a beauty like that immediately began a relationship, but our intrepid hero is too drunk to notice, and, after all, he wants to go out and find a dame. He is no better the next day when his wife (Joan Tetzel) takes the kids to the beach house, and leaves him alone during the week. As one would expect in film noir, everything is not as it seems. Cleve gets himself into hot water and uses all his wits to get out. I have to admit the ending was a big surprise.