En visperas de la muerte

This film would appear to have been 'lost' since it's release in 1948, and that's a shame as while it's certainly not the best film of the 'film noir' era; it's a good one, and a lot better than many of the more popular noirs. The film features the trademark noir gloomy atmosphere, and this is excellently complimented by the shots of the city at night. The plot focuses on the idea of bad luck, as many noirs do, and the title is a lot more literal than you may think. The plot isn't full of ideas, and mostly just focuses on the central theme; which is a bonus if you ask me as it means that the director can spend more time building up the central situation and as a result; the film is ultimately more thrilling. We focus on a pair of characters; both out of luck dancers. One night, they are being kept awake by cats outside their apartment and so, as you do, he throws his shoes out the window to shut them up. He retrieves them the next day, and soon after their luck changes when he finds a wallet containing two thousand dollars. However, the police come to believe that the money belongs to a murdered man; and the husband soon comes under suspicion for the murder.

The idea that the plot focuses on is good, and the shoes of the title are the centrepiece object - which helps the film as it gives it a real sense of irony. The acting isn't the best, but all the performers do well in their respective roles. Don Castle convinces as the unlucky law abiding citizen, while Elyse Knox gets most of the plaudits for her central role as his put-upon girl. Regis Toomey, who has previously worked with the likes of Frank Capra and Alfred Hitchcock rounds off the cast nicely, and takes a lot of the focus away from Don Castle with his linchpin role. The plot plays out well, and even though the film only runs for seventy minutes; it has to be said that the film explores most of the implications of the plot, and this is always interesting since there isn't any padding. Director William Nigh does well in creating mystery and suspense, and the plot all builds to a satisfying and somewhat shocking conclusion that sees all the characters get a fitting comeuppance. Overall, this isn't a great film, noir; but it's well worth seeing and hopefully it'll be uncovered soon and given a DVD release!

The tap dancer and performer Thomas J. 'Tom' Quinn (Don Castle) is unemployed, and his beloved and beautiful wife Ann Quinn (Elyse Knox) is financially supporting their lives with dancing classes. They live in a simple room in a boardinghouse and one night Ann arrives later then usual. She explains that a costumer called by Santa Claus has tipped her to talk with her. There are cats meowing during the hot night and Tom throws his new pair of shoes through the window to stop the noise. On the next morning, Ann finds the shoes at the front door and brings them to Tom. During the day, he finds a wallet with a large amount of old 20-dollar bills near a scale and he intends to take it to the police, but Ann convinces him to keep the money and see the lost and found section of the newspapers during a week to see whether the owner claims his lost money. Meanwhile, in a building close to Quinn's boardinghouse, a wealthy and stingy man that kept his money at home is murdered and his old and peculiar money is stolen. Inspector Stevens (Charles D. Brown) keeps secret from the press and Police Detective Clint Judd (Regis Toomey) finds Tom's shoe print in the mud of the victim's backyard. When the couple spends part of the money, the police arrest Tom and Ann, and she notes that Detective Judd is the Santa Claus. The public defense attorney is not capable to prove Tom's innocence and he is sentenced to death. Now Ann's only chance is that Detective Judd finds the real criminal.

"I Wouldn't Be in Your Shoes" is a gem to be discovered by fans of film-noir genre. Surprisingly, IMDb has only 376 voters and the low rating of 6,5 for this unknown masterpiece. The film has a great structure and is tense, beginning with Tom in the death row and recalling his fate in flashback. Then, when the situation seems to be hopeless to Tom, the viewer sees the desperate attempt of Ann to save her beloved husband. One important element in the story is the change of size of the 20 dollar-bill in 1948. The direction is tight and the performances are great. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Segredo dos Sapatos"

This rediscovered little dilly wouldn't walk away with any awards, but it's the sort of grade-B fare that makes film noir aficionados jump for joy! As is remarkably common in such flicks, the fog of confusion comes in on little cat feet--this time in the presence of two fighting felines on a fence. The protagonist flings his shoes at them, and fate suddenly starts tromping roughshod over him and his hapless spouse. The plot is somewhat plodding by modern standards, but its patient unfolding allows realization to creep slowly over the viewer, so that the conclusion is all the more credible and satisfying. Fans of crime and mystery films of the forties and fifties should find this offering to be a runaway pleaser!

A husband and wife dancing team down on their luck finds some money that gets them into a lot of trouble - and the husband on death row for murder. His one pair of shoes condemns him. After an open-and-shut trial and conviction, the wife ends up taking on his case herself as the clock ticks toward his execution. Camera flashes between husband in cell contemplating his life and impending death while his wife and others (with varying levels of interest and investment) work toward a resolution and possible alternative outcome.

Truly wonderful Film Noir murder mystery with intrigue, a twisting plot and surprise ending. Keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way. Highest quality acting, directing and script.

Sadly, there seems to be only one print of this film in the world.

Don Castle (Tom) is an out of work dancer with only 1 pair of shoes. Not only that but he throws them out of the window when some cats bother him. He goes to retrieve them but can't find them. Next morning, his wife Elyse Knox (Ann) brings them to him from outside their apartment. Someone has returned them. How nice. Not really, though. Whoever left them there has murdered someone whilst wearing them and has kindly returned them for framing purposes.

We have a flashback film with Castle on Death Row awaiting his execution. He relates his story to 4 other prisoners and the film intersperses between the prison cells, where prisoner no. 3 is in charge of the tunes, and a separate investigation to discover what actually happened courtesy of Knox.

It's an entertaining film and it has a twist. You'll probably guess but these plots are all about the moment that you realize. Mental illness is definitely on the cards in this offering.