TEMPTATION

US, 1946, 92 minutes, Black and white.
Merle Oberon, George Brent, Charles Korvin, Paul Lukas, Arnold Moss, Ludwig Stossel.
Directed by Irving Pichel.

Temptation is a stylish melodrama of the mid-40s. It was written by the author of 'The Garden of Allah' and 'The Paradine Case', Robert Hichens.

The setting is Egypt about the turn of the century. The black and white photography captures the atmosphere of period. Merle Oberon is at her best in this kind of ambiguous good and bad woman role. Paul Lukas is the doctor, George Brent the stolid hero and Charles Korvin is the ambiguous other man. The material is familiar from any number of melodramas - but it is given stylish treatment with atmosphere, decor and costumes. Direction is by Irving Pichel who worked at Universal Studios with comedies and romances at this period.

1. Interesting and enjoyable period melodrama? Style?

2. Black and white photography, atmosphere of Egypt, period, decor and costumes, musical score?

3. The title and its relationship to Ruby? The men in her life? Good and evil?

4. The flashback structure: the focus on Ruby, audience sympathy, the arrival of the doctor, the arrival of the police, the revelation of the intricacies of relationships and scheming, murder?

5. The portrait of Ruby: Merle Oberon, her background, Egypt, widow, the relationship with her servant and eventually her servant turning against her, her wealthy life and style, the attraction towards the archeologist, the plan and her trapping him, her relationship with his daughter? Love for Nigel? Her relationship with the doctor and his knowledge of her scheme? The encounter with Barrudi, infatuation, jealousy? The plan to poison Nigell His illness? Her seeing through Barrudi and his plan? The arrival of the doctor? Her change of heart, killing Barrudi, helping Nigel, his future job? The confession to the doctor? Her going with the group to the Valley of the Kings, her accidental death? Her dying for love of Nigel? The full melodramatic style?

6. Barrudi, his background, style, infatuation with Ruby, the plan to kill Nigel, using the doctor, the poison? Ruby and her turning the tables on him, his own death?

7. Nigel, the archeologist, his skill as a scientist, the opening up of the tombs? A gentleman, his daughter? Trust, love for Ruby, hoping she would love him? His illness, the coming of the doctor? His being allowed to live? His grief for Ruby's death?

8. The doctor, his practice, friendship with Ruby, dislike of her, coming to help Nigel, the flashbacks and the truth? His telling the policeman the story of Ruby's accidental death?

9. The policeman, his admiration for Nigel, respect for Ruby, his dropping the charges?

10. Familiar intrigues and melodrama - enjoyable nonetheless?