I liked this film a lot. In four years Gene Tierney went from being Laura to Mrs. Muir with a stopover here to play the disturbed Ellen in "Heaven." Vincent Price lost her in both Laura and Heaven, and in Laura her 'death' almost led to him being arrested for her 'murder.' Her voice always has a rich, creamy sound to it, even when she tries to make it cold in "Heaven." A number have commented on the inadequacies of Cornel Wilde, but to me he is near perfect for this role. Tierney's character is close to Scarlett, with that same obsessive mind that carries the latter through her troubles. Rhett gets wise at the end of GWTW and leaves after fighting her tooth and nail the whole three plus hours. Heaven does not need another Rhett to try to cure Ellen, but rather the story demands a hopeless sap who gets sucked into marriage, and Wilde has just the weak streak in him to do so.
Another parallel that comes to mind is Danny's death and the murder of Mr. Dietrichson in Double Indemnity. Ellen hides her face behind the dark glasses, while Phyllis does not even watch as Walter kills her husband. We watch Danny drown, but only hear Porter Hall's demise.
The trial is a little ridiculous, both in terms of prosecution bullying of witnesses and the fact that Wilde opens his mouth and the case disappears, poof just like that. Had Ruth been convicted, she would have been granted a new trial because of her lousy lawyer.
The film is a lot of fun and well worth watching.
Another parallel that comes to mind is Danny's death and the murder of Mr. Dietrichson in Double Indemnity. Ellen hides her face behind the dark glasses, while Phyllis does not even watch as Walter kills her husband. We watch Danny drown, but only hear Porter Hall's demise.
The trial is a little ridiculous, both in terms of prosecution bullying of witnesses and the fact that Wilde opens his mouth and the case disappears, poof just like that. Had Ruth been convicted, she would have been granted a new trial because of her lousy lawyer.
The film is a lot of fun and well worth watching.