BLACK ANGEL

US, 1946, 81 minutes, Black and white.
Dan Duryea, June Vincent, Peter Lorre, Broderick Crawford, Constance Dowling, Wallace Ford.
Directed by Roy William Neill.

Black Angel is based on a novel by Cornell Wpoolrich, prolific author from whose novels many Hollywood films were made.

The setting is Los Angeles, a blackmailing singer, her murder, the variety of suspects including her estranged husband, played by Dan Duryea, an infatuated man, the owner of a nightclub. When the infatuated man is found guilty of the murder, his wife, played by June Vincent, tries to prove his innocence, teaming up with the estranged husband, suspicious of the nightclub owner, Peter Lorre, he playing the piano and she singing – until there is a resolution, based on a psychological problem. Broderick Crawford is the police Inspector.

This is the last film directed by Roy William Neill, a prolific director of small budget dramas and thrillers – most of the previous films to Black Angel were his films of Sherlock Holmes, played by Basil Rathbone.

1. The writer, his novels, psychological perspectives on themes? Crime?

2. Los Angeles, black-and-white photography, the 1940s? Hotels, apartments, clubs, streets? The musical score?

3. The title, Mavis in herself, singer, her treatment of her maid, not wanting to see her husband, his composing her songs, the revelation about the blackmail, her death? The mystery of the brooch?

4. Martin, his relationship with Mavis, composing her songs? His drinking, refused entry to the apartment? The concern of his friend, saving him from his drink, locking him in his room? The aftermath of the death? Catherine going to see him, the bond between the two, the visit to Kirk in prison, his stopping drinking, the idea of the duo, the audition for Marco, success, his playing the piano, composing songs? Warning Catherine about Marco approaching, their being caught, thinking again, his psychological treatment, his discovering the truth, going to Catherine’s house, the surrender?

5. Catherine, loyal, supporting her husband, her dismay at his sentence, overhearing the words about Martin, going to see him, the visit to prison, the plan about the singing, the audition, Marco and his attraction, the issue of the safe, her being caught, going home at the end?

6. Kirk, the visit to Mavis, his infatuation, finding her body, the arrest, Catherine and her support, in court, condemned, in prison, saved?

7. Marco, going into the apartment, his initials on the card, his ownership of the club, the audition, his treatment of his staff, liking Catherine, the treatment? The truth about Mavis and his daughter and his prison sentence? Captain Flood vindicating him?

8. Captain Flood, watching, arresting Marco, explaining things at the club, Catherine phoning him, his coming and Martin’s confession?