Once you know about this film, it's a given that the plot is intricate, involving and ultimately satisfying. When you see it for the second time, pay attention to John Farrow's direction - it's wonderful. I love the look of this film: huge sets that seem to dwarf the players, and the use of what looks like natural light in the early scenes, which devolves into stark, frightening black and white contrasts as the story progresses. In effect, the story becomes more noir as it goes along. Farrow also uses many long tracking shots, and photographs his actors from a distance, even indoors, to emphasize how the events of the plot will overwhelm them. This is a beautiful movie.
The excellence of the actors only adds to the overall enjoyment of the film. Charles Laughton gives one of his usual eccentric but entirely true readings as the compulsive-obsessive, dictatorial Earl Janoth. Ray Milland is terrific as the smooth and not completely upright protagonist. All the others are spot-on in their interpretations. For me, the real standouts are the supporting players, especially Harry Morgan, every 1950s TV sitcom's favorite neighbor, in an uncharacteristic role as the boss' hatchet-man. He suggests so much danger with just a sidelong glance, but never utters a word throughout the film. And of course, Elsa Lanchester. Has she ever gotten anything wrong? She is so funny and yet so completely in control of her character. A truly underrated actress.
The excellence of the actors only adds to the overall enjoyment of the film. Charles Laughton gives one of his usual eccentric but entirely true readings as the compulsive-obsessive, dictatorial Earl Janoth. Ray Milland is terrific as the smooth and not completely upright protagonist. All the others are spot-on in their interpretations. For me, the real standouts are the supporting players, especially Harry Morgan, every 1950s TV sitcom's favorite neighbor, in an uncharacteristic role as the boss' hatchet-man. He suggests so much danger with just a sidelong glance, but never utters a word throughout the film. And of course, Elsa Lanchester. Has she ever gotten anything wrong? She is so funny and yet so completely in control of her character. A truly underrated actress.