ANGEL FACE

Robert Mitchum with Jean Simmons

ANGEL FACE (1952). Produced and directed by Otto Preminger. Colorized.  

Frank Jessup (Robert Mitchum) is an ambulance driver who encounters Diane Tremayne (Jean Simmons) when her stepmother, Catherine (Barbara O'Neil), nearly dies due to an "accident" in her home. Although he has his misgivings, as well as a steady date in Mary (Mona Freeman of Shadow of Fear), he is drawn to Diane and eventually becomes her family's chauffeur. Although Frank warned himself not to get involved with the dangerous Diane, he winds up on trial for murder -- along with Diane -- when a terrible accident results in two deaths. The defense attorney (Leon Ames) cooks up a scheme that might free them -- or might not. 

Leon Ames with Simmons

Angel Face is a film that I really enjoy every time I see it, and I find it far more compelling and entertaining than Laura, the film arguably most associated with Preminger. Simmons underplays beautifully throughout the movie, so that you're never quite certain what she's up to, and Mitchum offers his typical rough-hewn portrayal and is equally effective. O'Neil and Herbert Marshall (of Midnight Lace) as her husband and Diane's father are also excellent, and Leon Ames nearly walks off with the show in his incisive turn as the lawyer. Jim Backus as the prosecutor and Kenneth Tobey [It Came from Beneath the Sea] as another ambulance driver are also in good form, along with Freeman as the cast-off girlfriend who can't quite imagine a life with Mitchum at her side. 

Simmons with Robert Mitchum

While it is interesting to muse what Angel Face might have been like had it been directed by the great Alfred Hitchcock, Preminger does a nice job with the picture and keeps things moving (although others have found it slow). Are there improbable moments -- most likely, as is the case in most of these thrillers today and back then, but nothing out of the ordinary. Many have argued that Mitchum's actions at the very end seem rather stupid, but nobody ever said that Frank Jessup was a genius. In any case, Angel Face has a nice score by Dimitri Tiomkin and is well photographed by Harry Stradling, Sr. Apparently Ben Hecht contributed to the screenplay by Nugent and Millard. 

Verdict: Something about this picture ... and it's not just the smash of an ending! ***1/2. 

SHADOW OF FEAR

Jean Kent and Mona Freeman

SHADOW OF FEAR (aka Before I Wake/1955). Director: Albert S. Rogell. Colorized. 

April Haddon (Mona Freeman of Angel Face), who has been in the U.S. for several years, comes home when her stepmother, Florence (Jean Kent), notifies her that her father has died in an accident. April is very suspicious of Florence, especially when she tells her that her late mother, who was nursed by Florence, was supposedly a hopeless drunk, something April refuses to believe. She also uncovers incriminating evidence about the boat  accident in which her father died. April's old boyfriend,  Michael (Maxwell Reed), now a doctor, listens to April but is unconvinced that her stepmother, whom everyone loves, is the monster she portrays her as. April learns that the fortune her father left her will be in trust until she turns 21 in three weeks -- but April is convinced her stepmother plans to do away with her before the time is up. Florence was left the house and money but April fears that she wants it all ... 

Mona Freeman and Maxwell Reed

Shadow of Fear is a low-budget but absorbing British thriller with good performances, especially from Jean Kent as Florence, who keeps the audience guessing as to whatever her true character, motivations, or plans may be, sinister or otherwise. Mona Freeman is also excellent as the distraught daughter who finds her efforts to get justice for her parents continuously stymied. Marshall Reed was a British matinee idol who was once married to Joan Collins and he's stalwart enough as the good doctor who comes to April's aid after being initially dismissive. Supporting performances are all on target and the film is quite enjoyable. 

Verdict: Minor but entertaining suspense film with good performances. ***. 

ANGEL FACE

Jean Simmons

ANGEL FACE (1953). Produced and directed by Otto Preminger. 

Frank Jessup (Robert Mitchum) is an ambulance driver who meets the fascinating Diane Tremayne (Jean Simmons) when her stepmother, Catherine (Barbara O'Neil), has a near-deadly encounter with a gas jet. Although Frank is already involved with Mary (Mona Freeman), Frank can't quite resist seeing Diane and ultimately going to work for her family as a chauffeur. Diane truly hates her stepmother -- she thinks she treats her beloved father (Herbert Marshall) like a lap dog -- but Frank has no interest in her nefarious plans. In spite of his admonitions, there is a very terrible accident, and Frank's life winds up spiraling out of control ... But there are worse things to come. 

Robert Mitchum and Mona Freeman

Angel Face is one of Otto Preminger's best movies, an absorbing and exciting, well-acted exercise in film noir with Jean Simmons wisely underplaying so that the audience is never quite certain what is on her mind. Mitchum plays an essentially decent guy who isn't quite willing to do indecent things for Diane's sake, although one could argue that he isn't terribly nice to his cast-off girlfriend, Mary, who stands by him for awhile. Kenneth Tobey [It Came from Beneath the Sea] is Mary's admirer and Frank's former associate, Leon Ames is a defense lawyer, and Jim Backus plays the prosecutor; all are fine. There are twists and turns to the plot and a ferociously horrifying climax. (Those who suggest that  Frank's actions at the end are unrealistic forget that he was never the brightest bulb in the chandelier.) Angel Face contains elements of everything from Double Indemnity to Leave Her to Heaven but has a mystique all of its own. 

Verdict: Some people you should never get into cars with. ***1/4.