The Dark Corner (1946)

The Dark Corner (1946)
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This grade-A example of "film noir" stars Mark Stevens as Brad Galt, an embittered ex-convict who returns to the private detective business upon his release. Sour and surly, Galt behaves himself only when he's around his faithful and adoring secretary Kathleen (top-billed Lucille Ball). When Galt's crooked former partner Tony Jardine (Kurt Krueger) inaugurates an affair with socialite Mari Cathcart (Cathy Downs), Cathcart's waspish art-collector husband (Clifton Webb) arranges Jardine's murder, carefully pinning the blame on Galt. On the lam from the cops, Galt must rely on Kathleen to help gather enough evidence to prove his innocence. Best scene: Cathcart's abrupt but chillingly casual murder of his partner-in-crime (William Bendix). The deliberate lack of background music serves to enhance the gloomy atmosphere of The Dark Corner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, (more)
Director(s):
Henry Hathaway
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Dark Corner

This grade-A example of "film noir" stars Mark Stevens as Brad Galt, an embittered ex-convict who returns to the private detective business upon his release. Sour and surly, Galt behaves himself only when he's around his faithful and adoring secretary Kathleen (top-billed Lucille Ball). When Galt's crooked former partner Tony Jardine (Kurt Krueger) inaugurates an affair with socialite Mari Cathcart (Cathy Downs), Cathcart's waspish art-collector husband (Clifton Webb) arranges Jardine's murder, carefully pinning the blame on Galt. On the lam from the cops, Galt must rely on Kathleen to help gather enough evidence to prove his innocence. Best scene: Cathcart's abrupt but chillingly casual murder of his partner-in-crime (William Bendix). The deliberate lack of background music serves to enhance the gloomy atmosphere of The Dark Corner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
99 mins

Complete Cast of The Dark Corner


Director(s):
Henry Hathaway
Writer(s):
Jay Dratler, Bernard Schoenfeld
Producer(s):
Fred Kohlmar
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    James V.

    What a snazzy job Lucille Ball does in THE DARK CORNER: No wonder she gets top billing. If only the movie were up to her level, but this is one of those nearly-noir numbers from the 40s that's just not dark enough (despite that catchy title) to qualify for the real thing. Clifton Webb is his usual nasty/sophisticated combo (he has one very good scene/speech about his obsession with a straying wife); Mark Stevens is so-so (who could overcome some if the terrible dialog he's been given?); and William Bendix tags along for the ride (and it's quite a long way down). The excellent supporting cast--Kreuger, Downs, Hadley and Collier--all do yeomen work that helps lift the film a notch. Director Henry Hathaway is given neither the story nor script he got with "Call Northside 777" or "Kiss of Death," and this lack defines his results. The ending in particular is both obvious and silly. Boy, in those days you could pump a guy full of lead--without leaving a single bullet-hole visible.

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    Terry T.

    I agree with the other reviewer. Lucy stole the movie. Too bad she didn't want to do it. Mark was okay but never achieved star status. Cliff played his usual role. Very enjoyable for that era.

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    John E B.

    The Dark Corner came as a surprise to me, in that I loved 98% of it and watched it three times before returning it. The dialogue is crisp and clever, the lighting is magnificent--with clever use of shadows to give texture to the B&W film. There is one scene near the end which is totally silly--the street wise Private Eye in an art gallery pretending as if he's going to buy a $40,000 statue and take it with him. That scene stands out as a totally different quality from the rest of the plot.

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