La carta fatal

Just an easy watch that entertains. Hildegard Knef, well you can guess she was quite the star in West Germany in those days.

A cold-blooded murder takes place on an American military base in the western German region of Palatinate. At the same time, nightclub singer Lilli Hoffmann (Hildegard KNEF) moves into a furnished penthouse in West Berlin, which she rents for a few months from the hastily departing Anna Grant (Katherine KATH). The two events actually have nothing to do with each other. Or so it seems, until the beautiful Lilli discovers the US Major Baxter Grant (Van JOHNSON) on her roof terrace one night.

Directed by British director Muriel BOX, this is a crime story that could only take place in post-war Germany occupied by the Allies. It becomes clear that the story is based on a play. Almost everything takes place in the penthouse apartment. KNEF appears here under her international star name Hildegarde NEFF. And of course NEFF also gets to sing a song, "Love Is Not Love".

Other roles include Albert LIEVEN as Lilli's lawyer and the young Vivian MATALON as the major's stepson.

The British crime drama was filmed in London's Shepperton Studios. All you can see of West Germany are the signs along the motorway. It is a pure studio production that seems almost forgotten in German-speaking countries despite the participation of Hildegard KNEF. That's a shame. SUBWAY IN THE SKY is not a masterpiece, but it does offer a solid crime story. Hildegard KNEF is a little under-challenged in this black-and-white production, but she wears charming costumes and also surprises with a turbulent action sequence.

Editor: Mr Harvey's somewhat over-the-top negative review of SUBWAY IN THE SKY may keep viewers away from what was a modestly made yet enjoyable story. Having just seen the picture for the first time yesterday I can honestly say that I was surprised how interesting it was. It kept the viewer firmly in his seat and was well acted by most of the performers. Van Johnson was playing a part unusual for him and he did it well while Hildegard Neff was fascinating to watch. The film was well edited and nicely photographed within the constraints of what was, of course, a filmed play.

While I agree that Muriel Box and her writers could have made it more cinematic by opening up the play more I cannot fault her for having told a good story. Mr Harvey's lambasting the film for poor writing and ineptitude is inexplicable considering what I saw on the screen. If you're in the mood for a tight, simple and cozy thriller some evening, catch it when it's on TV...and have a good supply of popcorn handy.

I would recommend the film to anyone who enjoys a briskly told story.

This movie is based on a stage play and it shows--despite some opening out of the action much of the picture takes place on a single set. Van Johnson-here simply going through the motions-plays Major Baxter Grant,an American army doctor in post war Germany who is falsely accused of drug dealing and murder .He flees to Berlin where his wife Anna(a wooden Katherine Kath)is still living She has rented their apartment to a cabaret singer played with some style by Hildegarde Neff who believes in his innocence and shields him from both the German police and the American army investigator played well by Cec Linder who makes the most of his role as a vulpine and unpleasant albeit competent investigator

Will Baxter be cleared?Who is the real villain?Will you remain awake long enough to satisfy yourself on these points?

It is very talky with poor dialogue and ineptly handled action scenes.Box does not direct the film -she merely points the camera in the general direction of the cast and lets them sink or swim

Exactly the kind of tepid dross that gave much of mainstream British cinema in the era such a reputation for listless,supine bourgeois ineptitude.

Army officer Van Johnson spends most of the movie hiding out in Hildegarde Neff's apartment as he tries to prove his innocence of drug theft and murder. Cec Linder steals the show as the MP on his trail in this fairly ordinary thriller.