Though there are a few ridiculous elements to the story, standout performances, good direction and fine camera work make this one a winner. The epitome of a slut/bitch is found in the character of Claire Quimby with all the blank spots filled in by what should have been an award-winning portrayal by Audrey Totter. Almost matching her is Richard Basehart as her doting husband Warren Quimby and his alter ego Paul Sothern. It's also fun to see the talented Tom D'Andrea (the beloved Gillis in "The Life of Riley") as an "I told you so" employee friend Freddie and William Conrad ("Cannon" and radio's Marshal Dillon)as Police Lt. Edgar 'Blackie' Gonsales. Both add a degree of humor and lightness needed for a movie filled with tension.
Take away the sappy Clark Kent glasses incognito and the not only unorthodox but also highly unethical, maybe downright illegal even in 1950, method used by Police Lt. Collier Bonnabel (Barry Sullivan) to trap Claire Quimby and you have a truly intense suspenseful murder flick in the film noir tradition.
Take away the sappy Clark Kent glasses incognito and the not only unorthodox but also highly unethical, maybe downright illegal even in 1950, method used by Police Lt. Collier Bonnabel (Barry Sullivan) to trap Claire Quimby and you have a truly intense suspenseful murder flick in the film noir tradition.