The Late Edwina Black

Suspicion falls on widower David Farrar and his pert young mistress (Geraldine Fitzgerald) when his sickly, shrewish wife dies of arsenic poisoning. Veteran director Maurice Elvey creates a nicely ominous atmosphere as the ghostly influence of the dead woman seems to pit the lovers against one another, but the middle act, in which Farrar and Fitzgerald grow increasingly suspicious of the other's possible motive for murder, tends to drag. Roland Culver as a dogged, no-nonsense Scotland Yard detective livens things up considerably.

Edwina Black has died and an autopsy shows she was poisoned with arsenic. Meanwhile, her widower and his secretary (played by the wonderful Geraldine Fitzgerald), who have been waiting for her to die, are preparing to go off to the Continent. While the police inspector (played slowly and perfectly by Roland Culver) investigates, they turn on each other in private. Who poisoned Edwina Black? Who is lying?

Maurice Elvey, one of the great forgotten talents of the British film industry, directs this as an Old Dark House mystery, where the spirit of the late Edwina Black is evinced by the low light levels and the occasional tinkling of a crystal chandelier. His use of camera movement is almost undetectable unless you look for it -- it serves merely to maintain composition. Elvey was among the most subtle of directors in the British industry -- he did what he did in support of the movie, lacked any of the immodesty that the auteur-loving writers of the CAHIERS DE CINEMA adored and made an excellent movie in the process. Take a look at this one and see.

"The Late Edwina Black" from 1951 stars Geraldine Fitzgerald, a favorite of mine, and David Farrar.

The story takes place in Victorian England. Gregory, Edwina Black's husband, is a schoolteacher. Edwina herself seems to be an invalid and independently wealthy. Her companion from childhood is Ellen (Jean Cadell).

The other person helping with Mrs. Black is Elizabeth. Elizabeth happens to be in love with Gregory, and he with her, and Ellen knows it.

One day Mrs. Black is found dead, and while at first it seems like a heart attack, it appears she was poisoned. A police inspector (Roland Culver) comes around as soon as it is learned how Mrs. Black died. His questions annoy Gregory and upset Edwina.

Before you know it, the two of them are suspecting one another. Elizabeth believes Edwina's spirit is still present and trying to destroy both of them.

Good movie, good mystery, with fine acting. It really does keep you wondering. The atmosphere is terrific, mostly inside a big, dark, gloomy house, which is perfect for the plot.

David Farrar was quite handsome but, like Dirk Bogarde before him, just wasn't cut out for Hollywood. While Bogarde's career in Europe continued and expanded after Hollywood, Farrar could not regain his momentum. He finally retired. Recommended.

The Obsessed is a nice example of English noir and of the murder mysteries they do so well and with such style. It's a wonderful case study on how suspicious minds can mess with your head.

Schoolmaster David Farrar's wife who's a rich sickly soul is given arsenic poisoning and that brings Scotland Yard in with Inspector Roland Culver. Farrar has been carrying on for some time with Geraldine Fitzgerald who is the wife's companion.

The bulk of the film is spent with Farrar and Fitzgerald each thinking the other did it and trying to keep their relationship intact. Housekeeper Jean Cadell, a nasty old soul is sure it was one of both.

A whole lot of emotions come into play with the scenes of the two leads often at the same time, hope, fear, anger, suspicion all fueled by the wife's poisoning.

As is usual the wise Scotland Yard inspector with some forensic help sorts it all out.

Great acting especially from the two leads.

This is a fine thriller well acted and directed.Jean Cadell does a fine job of scaring the life out of everyone.Veteran director Maurice Elvey does a fine job of sustaining suspense despite the fact that there are only three suspects.Roland Culver is the diligent detective who bit by bit manages to deduce what happened and whodunnit.The ending is a bit of a surprise.