Product Description A private eye's secretary helps expose an art collector who has framed him for murder. .com The Dark Corner can't seriously be proposed as a great film noir, but it's one that people cherish. For one thing, it's unique in having Lucille Ball--who has absolutely no "splainin'" to do--as the smart, resourceful, devoted secretary of beleaguered private eye Mark Stevens. Lucy actually rates top billing, with Clifton up-to-his-old-Laura-tricks Webb and William vicious-brute-in-a-white-suit Bendix also getting their names above that of the hero in the credits. In this, there's a certain justice; they all deliver the goods, whereas Stevens seems a tad lightweight as the hardnose, Phil Marlowe type cracking wise and punching his way through the mean streets. His character comes burdened with more backstory than usual for movie detectives; this time, the case the private eye has to solve is his own. The intriguingly convoluted screenplay (by Jay Dratler, who co-wrote Laura, and Bernard Schoenfeld, from a story by Leo Rosten) takes hold like a vise and sustains the tension even though, by rights, its credibility should be shrinking with each passing reel. Henry Hathaway's direction is crisp, and the cinematography by Joe MacDonald (who would next shoot John Ford's My Darling Clementine) is both pungent and gorgeous. With Cathy Downs, Kurt Kreuger, and Reed Hadley, who plays a police detective here but more often supplied the voiceover on Fox's semidocumentary thrillers and Anthony Mann's T-Men. --Richard T. Jameson
D**R
Mark Stevens Where are you?
Great Film Noir on a limited budget. Brilliant photography. Amazing cast; Lucille Ball, William Bendix and Cliffton Webb (essentially playing the creepy bad guy from Otto Premminger's Brilliant film, LAURA. Seeing bits from Hitchcock. While I've seen this film multiple times over the years, still noticing things anew. That's what Amazing films do. While this is NOT, LAWRENCE of ARABIA, it's solid film making. A shame not seeing Mark Stevens in much afterward. Hard to find this film. It should have a well deserved restoration. VERY ENJOYABLE
P**T
The Dark Corner - Fox Film Noir
Though we tend to associate Film Noir with Warner Brothers pictures, many of the excellent examples of the genre were made by Twentieth Century Fox. "The Dark Corner" is one of these. The titles give top billing to Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, and William Bendix - but the star of the film is Mark Stevens, an underrated actor who could play hard-bitten parts as well as anyone. The camera follows him around as the plot of the movie unfolds. Clifton Webb does his usual excellent job in a part reminiscent of his role in "Laura."William Bendix, known for both his comedic roles as well as his tough guy parts, throws his weight around and gets thrown around in this one, and Lucille Ball, who gets the undeserved star billing, is quite good in a straight part. She shows none of the "Lucy" zany qualities that she became famous for in later years.In my opinion, Mark Stevens should have had a bigger career. I wonder what happened!
G**S
Surprisingly good mystery
Movie is a surprise. Good film noir with refreshingly different performance by Lucille Ball and almost an Alan Ladd type performance by Mark Stevens. Clifton Webb is always entertaining and joy to watch.
K**
Classic
This movie is GREAT. I admit up front to being total bias. I love Lucy. I love Lucille Ball, the actress. She is so perfect in this story (which I originally heard her perform on a mystery radio disc set I have). I had no idea she played the same role with most of the same cast in a movie version until it was shown on TCM one night ... and I missed it! So I order it and it is worth every penny. I long for the days when movies and their stars had class. All of these character have class. Which makes this, what was probably referred to as one of Lucille's "B-movies" and A+++ in my opinion.I rate it two thumbs way up... Peace, Kristen :)
B**E
Good noir, but could have been much better
"Dark Corner" is a perfect example of a B noir: strong in parts (gorgeous cinematography, some good acting, effective writing) but weak in others (sloppy editing at times, Clifton Webb's pallid re-creation of "Laura"'s Waldo Leidecker, and an ending that seems tacked on). But even with the inconsistent quality, there are unexpected pleasures to be found, as in most noir films. Among my favorites: the snappy, natural way Mark Stevens and Lucille Ball flirt on their first date; the grace-note humor in several scenes (e.g. an eavesdropping movie cashier, the weird little girl with the slide whistle); a brief but satisfying encounter with jazzman Eddie Heywood.I like "Dark Corner", but it cries out for the extra care that a bigger budget would have provided. Oh well, they can't all be "Laura"!
E**L
DEFINITELY BELONGS IN ONE'S FILM NOIR LIBRARY!
Why? Because of a script which constantly rivets one's attention, and with many a surprise along the way.And because of the sterling performances, especially by a young and gorgeous Lucille Ball and the ever professional Clifton Webb, almost recreating his role of Waldo Lideker in the top-notch classic film, "Laura." His acting is superb in both films.Cathy Downs, who usually did not play glamorous women, shines in her role of an unhappily married (to an older man) woman. Dressed in gorgous gowns, and with untypical deep brunette upsweeped hair, I barely recognized her in this fragile, true- to-form, performance.Mark Stevens also fares well as the much beleaguered private detective trying to start a new life in the Big Apple. He has just the right amount of spunk and sincerity.And let's not forget the legendary-by-now cast of character actors: William Bendix terrific as usual, Donald McBride in a brief scene, Reed Hadley, Constance Collier and even Ellen Corby in another brief scene.Perhaps not as great or blockbusting as "The Maltese Falcon" or "Murder,My Sweet," this film has a truth of its own and Ms. Ball's performance is something to write home about!
D**O
I Love Lucy (and Mark Stevens)
Lucille Ball plays it straight (well almost) as the devoted secretary of slurpy detective Mark Stevens in this post-war Noir delight. The two of them make a yummy pair of sleuths. You may be surprised how very good "Lucy" is in this wonderful movie, even though she was reportedly very unhappy while making the picture; even when completely serious she brings hints of comedy, which only adds spice and charm to the tightly thrilling proceedings. Any movie with William Bendix is bound to be interesting. Mark Stevens is a dark horse among fellow "Sam Spade" detectives, and easier on the eyes than most of his rival cinema gum-shoes. Young and virile, the boy is All Man. Highly recommended.
D**N
First Rate Noir
Those apprehensive about Lucille Ball in a film noir never fear. The First Lady of Comedy aquits herself remarkably well as the devoted secretary of a tough-talking gumshoe(Mark Stevens) being set up for a murder rap. Also excellent are William Bendix as a mysterious man in the white suit tailing Stevens and Clifton Webb as the art dealer with the young trophy wife. The audience gets caught up in the byzantine plot strands along with Stevens and a helpful Ball as they try to unearth the frame-up. Adding to the tension are great black-and-white cinematography and terrific New York atmosphere circa 1946. Terrific tongue-in-cheek pulp dialogue is also a plus. Look quick for Ellen Corby(Grandma on "The Waltons") as a cleaning woman.
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