Ulmer: "It was a dangerous script which had to be cut because McCarthy came in and it was written by Alvah Bessie [among McCarthy's blacklisted victims]... The interesting thing was going back in characterization - the flashback. Futhermore the complete evilness and ruthlessness about money... I wanted to do a morality play... But they fought me every step, because it was a very bad indictment against 100 percent Americanism." I'd say it worked, it's pretty relentless. Quote of course from 'Who the Devil Made It?'
It's beautifully shot by Bert Glennon, nicely directed and has a visual design and style that's noticeable, plus a very interesting score by Werner Janssen*. Spent the whole film trying to work out who Ann Blyth was playing, only to realise that the double role of Martha / Mallory is in fact played by The Miracle of Morgan's Creek's Diana Lynn. With Louis Hayward, Zachary Scott, Sidney Greenstreet, Lucille Bremer, Martha Vickers. And Bob Anderson (from It's a Wonderful Life) again as the young Scott.
* Made me think that the Nazis sure gave us a lot of good film composers - then I found out that Werner Janssen was born in New York City!
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