Marie Windsor in "No Man's Woman" (1955)

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Ай бұрын

In Beverly Hills, California, gold digger Carolyn Ellenson Grant (Marie Windsor), has been estranged from husband Harlow Grant (John Archer) for two years. When Harlow falls in love with Louise Nelson (Nancy Gates), Carolyn refuses to grant him a divorce, unless he gives her a large percentage of his chemical company plus $300,000. Knowing that Harlow does not have that much, she suggests that he sell his father's, Philip Grant (Douglas Wood), share of the company, which Philip spent his life building.
Carolyn runs an art gallery with her lover and silent partner, Wayne Vincent (Patric Knowles), an unethical art critic who brings in business by writing about her paintings in his column. Carolyn's assistant, wholesome Betty Allen (Jil Jarmyn), is engaged to fisherman Dick Sawyer (Richard Crane), who has recently bought a boat.
Carolyn tries to force Dick into dating her, but he refuses. Betty, after discovering that Carolyn and Dick are together, sees them arguing in the boatyard and thinks they are embracing. She leaves his engagement ring in an envelope with Virginia Gillis (Fern Hall), who runs the boatyard office. Betty reports to the gallery caretaker, Otto Peterson (Percy Helton), that she is quitting her job.
Vincent tells Carolyn he has been fired for using his column to foster private enterprise. Predicting that sales will drop without his "advertising," Carolyn informs him that he is now useless to her. At 3:00 a.m., in her upstairs bedroom, Carolyn hears someone entering the gallery below, and is shot dead.
The next day, Detective Lt. Colton (Louis Jean Heydt), in charge of the murder investigation, determines that robbery was not a motive and brings in Harlow and Betty for questioning. Vincent is added to the list of suspects.
Ballistic tests determine that the murder weapon was a German Mauser and Harlow acknowledges that he has an historical gun collection, and becomes the lead suspect. Harlow is taken to the station, but released when Philip confesses to the murder. Guessing that Philip is innocent, Colton's superior, Capt. Hostedder (Morris Ankrum), assigns officers to tail Harlow, who, with Louise, goes to the studio. There Otto tells Harlow that only he, Betty and Carolyn had a key, Harlow suspects Betty of killing Carolyn.
Virginia tells Harlow that Dick and Betty broke up. After proceeding to Betty's apartment, Harlow accuses her of lying to the police and of murdering Carolyn. Dick, who has reconciled with Betty, shows up and together they explain that Betty lied to protect Dick.
Although Betty is certain that Vincent knew where Carolyn kept the gun, no one can think of a reason for him to kill her, as they do not know about Carolyn breaking up with him. Later, believing he is alone, Vincent hides the Mauser in a box of paintings at the studio to frame Harlow for the murder. From the bedroom where she is packing, Louise sees him and calls the police, but Vincent breaks the phone connection and tries to kill her. Harlow then arrives and tries to subdue Vincent, but Vincent threatens to shoot Louise, mentioning that she is standing in the same place Carolyn stood when he shot her. Having trailed Harlow to the gallery, the police arrest Vincent. With Carolyn gone and the case solved, Louise and Harlow can now marry.
A 1955 American film-noir crime film directed by Franklin Adreon, produced by Rudy Ralston, written by Don Martin and John K. Butler, cinematography by Bud Thackery, starring Marie Windsor, John Archer, Patric Knowles, Nancy Gates, Jil Jarmyn, Richard Crane, Fern Hall, Louis Jean Heydt, John Gallaudet, Douglas Wood, Percy Helton, Morris Ankrum, Paul Bryar, Morris Buchanan, Ted Cooper, Franklyn Farnum, and Will J. White.
Carolyn Grant (Marie Windsor) drives a 1955 Mercury Montclair Convertible. The police car is a 1955 Nash Super 4-Door Ambassador.
Marie Windsor gives an impressive performance as an egocentric man-eater.
Marie Windsor (1919 - 2000), born Emily Marie Bertelsen, was an American actress known for her femme fatale characters in the classic film-noir features "Force of Evil" (1948), "The Narrow Margin" (1952) and "The Killing" (1956). Windsor's height (5'9", 175 cm) created problems for her in scenes with all but the tallest actors.
Windsor was the female lead in so many B-Movies that she became dubbed the "Queen" of the genre. In 1939, Windsor was chosen from a group of 81 contestants to be queen of Covered Wagon Days in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was unofficially appointed "Miss Utah of 1939" by her hometown Chamber of Commerce, and trained for the stage under Hollywood actress and coach Maria Ouspenskaya. After working for several years as a telephone operator, a stage and radio actress, and a bit part and extra player in films, Windsor began playing feature parts on the big screen in 1947.
A straightforward mix of true "noir" and well-made "whodunnit", where just about everyone had a motive for murder, moves along briskly and should keep you engaged.

Пікірлер: 15

@GlennLaakso-ov1yh Ай бұрын

Just begun to watch it! 🧐🤔😉👌🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇧🇵🇱✝️

@90FF1 Ай бұрын

This had all the ingredients of any number of Perry Mason TV shows. If this was an earlier A movie, I could see Joan Crawford in the role of Carolyn. Good one, and thanks.

@Alan-yn9fk Ай бұрын

I like the way you think. I wonder if Marie

@Alan-yn9fk Ай бұрын

Windsor was purposely playing it Joan Crawford style.

@DavidRice111 Ай бұрын

Excellent movie!

@90FF1 Ай бұрын

Check out Force of Evil. 1948. 5'9" Windsor was happy to perform with Garfield. A movie where she didn't have to stoop down so that she wouldn't be taller than the leading man.