The Woman in the Window – 1944 – Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Directed by: Fritz Lang
Written by: Nunnally Johnson
Main Players: Edward G. Robinson; Joan Bennett; Dan Duryea; Raymond Massey; Edmund Breon; Dorothy Peterson; Thomas E. Jackson
Based on a novel, this classic noir features Gotham College professor Richard Wanley (Robinson) who gets caught up in a dark murder scheme. He lectures on subjects such as “some psychological aspects of homicide,” so he should be prepared for what comes next!
Richard’s wife (Peterson) is taking their two kids on a train trip away, leaving the man to his books and classes. He catches up with old friends like Dr. Michael Barkstane (Breon) and Frank Lalor (Massey). Richard also spots a ‘dream girl’ who is painted in a picture hanging in a store. Who is she, he and his friends wonder…
Richard has a lecture the following day at 9:00 AM, so he figures one drink and a cigar with his pals then straight to bed is his best plan. The men all chuckle about life and women and how they are all old crocks at this point. To Richard this is the end of the brightness of life and the end of spirit and adventure. Frank disagrees; men of their age have no business playing with any adventures any more. Life ends at 40!
As Richard leaves his men’s club for the night, he strolls home past the picture of the lovely woman, pausing again. Almost magically, the same face as the painting appears as a reflection behind him. He turns, and there is an identical woman! This is Alice Reed (Bennett), who posed for the artist.
Richard asks her out for a drink, and admits his admiration for her painting. She invites him over to view more works, but it is after 11, and he is too old for her (the fact that he is married also seems to elude him). He goes anyway. This setup begins a dark and devious tale. What does Alice have in store for this man who is clearly enamored with her? Is a hint of murder in the air?! Things get crazy right away…
The Woman in the Window has a good setup and inciting incident. How it plays out is interesting and dark, in all the right ways. A twisting plot with murderous moments draws the characters into a twisting web. Who can you trust?! Well-acted and directed, this feature is a well-done noir. Tensions ratchet up over the runtime as walls start to close in on its characters.
Edward G. Robinson is a strong lead as usual, and brings some humanity to his character, despite the script forcing him down a meandering criminal path. Joan Bennett’s acting is another plus, which was important for the role and the story. Lang’s competent direction keeps the film firmly on the rails and delivers some nice shots. Watching the plot unfold is a good time for fans of crime films. Dialogue is okay and doesn’t come across as too old fashioned to enjoy. I don’t fully love the ending, but it’s a solid flick regardless.
Have you a dark blanket we can wrap him in?
See This If You Liked:
Laura (1944); The Maltese Falcon (1941); Double Indemnity (1944); Dial M for Murder (1954); The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946; 1981); Scarlet Street; Dark Passage (1947)
Score:
7.5