Post by ZolotoyRetriever on Oct 4, 2018 3:06:48 GMT
Hollow Triumph (1948). Directed by Steve Sekely, with Paul Henreid, Joan Bennett, Eduard Franz, John Qualen. DVR'd from recent TCM telecast (Noir Alley presentation).
Interesting, but - to me, anyway - a bit disappointing film noir about a hoodlum who bears an uncanny resemblance to a prominent doctor (both roles played by Paul Henreid). The mob is after the hood, so what does he do? Why, he bumps off the prominent doctor and magically steps into his shoes and carries on a new life, thwarting the mob's effort to find him and kill him. Complications ensue, as does an ending with an intriguingly ironic twist.
This had all the best elements of a good classic noir, what with the dark tones, creeping dread and cold-blooded ruthlessness of various parties involved. Where it fell apart for me was the need for a huge suspension of disbelief for the viewer to accept that the hoodlum could so easily assume the role and lifestyle - both professional as well as personal - of the doctor with nary a soul raising an eyebrow (until later, but that would be giving away too much of the plot).
Well-acted, plus it features a few glimpses of what life was like in America 70 years ago: pay attention during a key gas-pumping scene, and note the price of gas was 25 cents a gallon. Also look for a young Jack Webb, future "Joe Friday" of Dragnet fame. Here he's on the other side of the law: he's one of the mob guys.
Interesting, but - to me, anyway - a bit disappointing film noir about a hoodlum who bears an uncanny resemblance to a prominent doctor (both roles played by Paul Henreid). The mob is after the hood, so what does he do? Why, he bumps off the prominent doctor and magically steps into his shoes and carries on a new life, thwarting the mob's effort to find him and kill him. Complications ensue, as does an ending with an intriguingly ironic twist.
This had all the best elements of a good classic noir, what with the dark tones, creeping dread and cold-blooded ruthlessness of various parties involved. Where it fell apart for me was the need for a huge suspension of disbelief for the viewer to accept that the hoodlum could so easily assume the role and lifestyle - both professional as well as personal - of the doctor with nary a soul raising an eyebrow (until later, but that would be giving away too much of the plot).
Well-acted, plus it features a few glimpses of what life was like in America 70 years ago: pay attention during a key gas-pumping scene, and note the price of gas was 25 cents a gallon. Also look for a young Jack Webb, future "Joe Friday" of Dragnet fame. Here he's on the other side of the law: he's one of the mob guys.