When Henry Maurier's (Charles Boyer) wife Emily (Rachel Kempson) dies suddenly, suspicion falls on him in "A Woman's Vengeance" from 1948, with a script by Aldous Huxley.
Maurier is an unhappily married womanizer; his wife Emily is a neurotic invalid. Her good friend Janet (Jessica Tandy) visits at Maurier's urging to cheer Emily up after one of their arguments - this one concerning her errant brother (Robert Lester) who wants money.
After lunch with Janet and Emily, Henry leaves to meet his girlfriend (Ann Blyth); Emily retires to her room and dies. The maid (Mildred Natwick) suspects Henry, goes to the police, and the body is exhumed. Emily was poisoned! Henry is arrested, charged with murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death.
Making matters worse for Henry is the fact that his 18-year-old girlfriend Doris is pregnant, and Henry marries her almost immediately after Emily's death.
Very good noir with excellent performances by all involved, particularly Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Emily's doctor. It was amazing to see Jessica Tandy so young -- she's actually 39 here. This film was made probably just prior to her appearing as the original Blanche in "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway. Hers is a showy role, and given her stage experience, she handles it well. Boyer is smooth and debonair, and as his fragile bride, Ann Blyth gives a good performance.
This was a real gem I hadn't heard of -- I loved it.
Maurier is an unhappily married womanizer; his wife Emily is a neurotic invalid. Her good friend Janet (Jessica Tandy) visits at Maurier's urging to cheer Emily up after one of their arguments - this one concerning her errant brother (Robert Lester) who wants money.
After lunch with Janet and Emily, Henry leaves to meet his girlfriend (Ann Blyth); Emily retires to her room and dies. The maid (Mildred Natwick) suspects Henry, goes to the police, and the body is exhumed. Emily was poisoned! Henry is arrested, charged with murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death.
Making matters worse for Henry is the fact that his 18-year-old girlfriend Doris is pregnant, and Henry marries her almost immediately after Emily's death.
Very good noir with excellent performances by all involved, particularly Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Emily's doctor. It was amazing to see Jessica Tandy so young -- she's actually 39 here. This film was made probably just prior to her appearing as the original Blanche in "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway. Hers is a showy role, and given her stage experience, she handles it well. Boyer is smooth and debonair, and as his fragile bride, Ann Blyth gives a good performance.
This was a real gem I hadn't heard of -- I loved it.