1h 25min | Drama, Film-Noir | 20 December 1946
Director: John Brahm
Stars: Laraine Day, Robert Mitchum, Brian Aherne, Gene Raymond
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038700/
Bought this because it sounded interesting in the biography of Mitchum (b. 1917) that I've been reading. Ir is. (Watched it now because I wanted something other than a musical for a change.)
The story is a mirror in a sense, with BA relating to GR his experiences with LD much as RM had done with him. And it's all terribly psycho-analytical, especially with BA's profession being a shrink.
RM plays an artist who's a bit moody. He looks very young here; this is his 4th film since his breakout role in The Story of G.I. Joe ('45). When he delivers a diatribe, his eyes aren't engaged. His voice is fine, conveying anger/annoyance, but the eyes don't change. I have the feeling he didn't like the lines; it's a silly outburst. They could have cooked up a better one to show his volatility.
LD is very effective as the emotionally troubled woman, plagued by a childhood trauma (doesn't really seem serious enough to cause all this mayhem years later) that RM extracts from her as though he's a therapist. She does not appear emotional through most of the film; if anything, she's extra cool and detached.
I won't say more so as not to spoil future viewings. A 7 means recommended.
RKO, dir. Brahm; 7-
