"Davis' ludicrous caricature of herself (wearing an evil black wig) bulldozed its way through it all - and out of her 18-year association with the studio. Though she still had ten years to serve on her contract, she threatened to abandon the film mid-way if she was not released from her obligations on its completion. Jack Warner was happy to let her go." (The Warner Bros. Story, Clive Hirschhorn.) The film was (according to Alexander Walker) a series of battles between Davis and Vidor.
Bette - here, 41 - was going through a divorce at the time, maybe why she chose to play a character with no redeeming features whatsoever - an utter bitch from the word go. And sap doctor Joseph Cotten seems to be mad about her so he keeps forgiving her. It leaves the audience with nowhere to go. I would have worked up Cotten's relationship with friend's daughter Ruth Roman into a little attraction so at least after Bette's death you think there might be a nicer future for him.
The maid with attitude is a nice touch (Dona Drake) in Leonore Coffee's screenplay, an adaptation of Stuart Engstrand's novel. Features Davis' classic line "What a dump!"
The film does at least benefit from a fine Max Steiner score.
With David Brian, Minor Watson, Regis Toomey, Sarah Selby.
Robert Burks shoots Roman two years before they met again on Strangers on a Train.
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