Dishonored Lady

Beautiful and suicidal Hedy Lamarr (as Madeleine Damien) takes her psychiatrist's advice, and moves from promiscuous Manhattan magazine editor to struggling Greenwich Village artist. She falls in love with building mate Dennis O'Keefe (as David S. Cousins), a scientist; and, the two plan to marry. But, when Mr. O'Keefe is called away on business, Ms. Lamarr gets snookered and lapses into her prior lifestyle. Although she comes to her senses in time to flee frisky John Loder (as Felix Courtland), her presence in his apartment makes Lamarr a murder suspect.

So, how does she explain all this to returning fiancé O'Keefe?

This deliciously ludicrous, dated melodrama is gamely performed by Lamarr, who really pulls it off, with determination and beauty. These types of pictures are always easier to watch with an extremely attractive woman at the helm; and, "Dishonored Lady" is tailor-made for a beautiful Hollywood actress. Interestingly, Mr. Loder was, at the time, Lamarr's real-life husband - though, not for long. None of the men seem entirely up for Lamarr, but chatty Margaret Hamilton (after "The Wizard of Oz") and catty Natalie Schafer (before "Gilligan's Island") offer helpful support.

****** Dishonored Lady (5/16/47) Robert Stevenson ~ Hedy Lamarr, Dennis O'Keefe, John Loder, William Lundigan

Hedy Lamarr once remarked, I believe, that most of her films were pretty forgettable. If she didn't, then most of her critics did. Maybe, looking back on them, none stood out as exceptional. But they can be called good for what they were. This film, Dishonored Lady, is one such example. It may not win any awards and may not be that important in the long scheme of things, but this is a good little programmer (or 'b' picture) that really packs a wallop and entertains for about 90 minutes. We open on Hedy sitting in her car, and after a time and after a cop asking if she's okay, she rams her car into a tree. A psychiatrist saves her and tries to get her to tell him her problems. She's thankful for his interest, but leaves not planning on going back. We then see how things develop as she ultimately leaves her job, wanting to find peace somewhere. She changes her name for a fresh start and meets Dennis O'Keefe, who's another tenant in the apartment. John Loder (who was one of Hedy Lamarr's husbands in real life) plays a client of hers from the fashion job who finds her in her new place and from there, things happen. William Lundigan, Morris Carnovsky as the psychiatrist, Natalie Schafer (from "Gilligan's Island",) Paul Cavanaugh, Douglas Dumbrille, and Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz") make up the rest of the cast. Their names may not mean much to the average person today, but these are all very reliable actors who make the film even more enjoyable. What's unique about Lundigan and O'Keefe being in the same picture here is that usually they were competing for the same type of roles in films, the young man usually on the right side of the law and is set on solving a murder that is thrust upon them. Sometimes they played a detective and other times they were an average Joe, with a murder rap on their head to clear. If you ever get a chance to catch a "Dishonored Lady," see it for yourself. It may be one of the best of Hedy Lamarr's "forgettable films."

It would be a mistake to say that Hedy Lamarr was just a pretty face for two reasons. 1) Pretty would be a gross understatement. She had a gorgeous face, and all the rest of her was likewise, if you get what I mean. 2) She really could act, as she proved taking on a complex role in Dishonored Lady. Okay, she wasn't in a class with Bette Davis. But then Bette Davis would not have been believable in Hedy's role, because no one would believe all those men would have been so obsessively attracted to the frumpy Ms. Davis.

Dishonored Lady is an early example of the "pycho-drama" and possibly one of the best in that typically dreary, and not so entertaining genre. The average American of the late 1940's wasn't really sure what a psychiatrist was, unless he was a WWII veteran suffering from what is now called post-traumatic stress syndrome. But the high-living Hollywood crowd knew all about that shadowy type of doc. So, it is not surprising we started seeing movies about people with structural problems in the upper stories. Joan Crawford at this stage of her career glommed on to this overwrought type of dramas. Not surprisingly, since it would be a major shocker if a dame like her didn't have a shrink on the payroll.

In Dishonored Lady the shrink, played with great verve by Morris Carnovsky, is the pivotal character. Hedy's character is a high-paid advertising designer, surrounded by shallow, dishonorable men who take advantage of her promiscuous nature. I say promiscuous, but I mean by the standards of the late 1940's, when the world was only just starting to go mad. By today's drop-your-drawers-if-somebody-just-looks-like-they-want-you-to standards maybe she would be regarded as a prude. At least she has some guilt feelings about it. In fact she becomes so disgusted with herself that she tries to commit suicide by ramming her speeding car into a stone fence. She has the good luck 1) not to be seriously injured and 2) to fall right into the attentions of psychiatrist Carnovsky, who owns the house behind the fence. He proceeds to help her get over the suicidal urge and to put some corners on her round heels.

Turns out she has found in this psychiatrist one of the best of that iffy bunch. Though we see the couch business in his office as if he were a practitioner of the now-discredited Freudian branch of psychoanalysis, he is in reality a common sense psychologist. Like one of those good, old-time, tough priests, he doesn't mind telling someone he or she is doing wrong and just needs to straighten up. Best line in the movie -- when one of Hedy's rich, carnivorous ex-boyfriends takes offense at Carnovsky's criticism of his ways, the psychiatrist replies, "I usually get paid for insulting people." It goes on from there, and this is a very entertaining movie. It's part psycho-drama, part crime drama, part courtroom drama, part love story. All works well. Heddy's supporting cast, led by Carnovsky and Dennis O'Keefe are all very good. O'Keefe, cast somewhat against type, plays a nice medical research doctor who thinks of nothing but germs until he falls in love at first sight with Hedy (and what man wouldn't). But we get to see a little of his tough guy side before the end. To say any late 'forties movie has good cinematography and fluid editing is redundant.

Dishonored Lady is an enjoyable watch and a good showcase for Hedy Lamarr's beauty and talent.

This movie was generally well made. The critics have not been kind to this movie over the years. I think it had a 'dream and erotic' quality. I think it did a good job of implying sexual behavior, so as not to incense censors of that time. Hedy was beautiful, and I thought her rather ambiguous performance, gave the film a nice sense of mystery. Again, the supporting cast was generally second rate. I think budget concerns were responsible for some rather lack-luster actors. I do believe Hedy Lamarr needed strong supporting performances, to help carry her movies, and inspire her performances.

While this is not always the case, often films that have slipped into the public domain are not all that good--orphans from studios that would sooner pretend they didn't exist! In other words, the film was a stinker so they didn't bother to renew the copyright. But, in the case of "Dishonored Lady", the film is pretty good and you wonder why it's included with these clunkers.

The film begins with Hedy Lamarr behaving like she'd like to die--though she denies she has a problem. She also is apparently 'a bad lady' though the film only implied what this means--and I do think this is one case where the requirements of the Production Code harmed the movie. Had they said she had been very sexually active, what happened throughout the film would have made a lot more sense.

Regardless, a kind psychiatrist sees a sad and sick lady and offers to help. They make some progress and Hedy decides much of her problem is the company she keeps, so she quits her high-paid job and leaves all her old 'friends'. With a brand-new identity, she takes joy in a simpler and less salacious life. She also meets a nice guy (Dennis O'Keefe) and they fall in love. However, she does not tell him about her past--and eventually this comes between them. I could say a lot more, but I'll leave it up to you to find out for yourself.

The film had some nice performances. While Hedy is a bit wooden, she often was wooden--and it's probably one of her better performances. While O'Keefe is a lesser-known actor, he was also very good--and I liked him at the end in a very rough and tumble scene. The script was nice as well--with my only real complaint being the vagueness of Hedy's past. Worth seeing, though by no means a great film.

By the way, if you do see this movie, get a load of the crazy wardrobe Hedy wears through much of the film. NO ONE ever dressed like this--not that chic and well-coiffed. In fact, I found it a bit laughable that she looked like she stepped off a fashion runway every time she went to work!