Fortune Is a Woman

Engaging, Entertaining Mystery from a Top-Notch British Film-Crew with some Outstanding Dark and Fluid Cinematography, Direction and Acting.

Jack Dawkins and Arlene Dahl Headline this Plot-Twister that has Elements of a Late Film-Noir that Keeps Viewers Guessing while Unreeling some Dark Gothic Imagery.

The Ending has been Criticized as a Letdown, but Getting there is an Intense Atmosphere of Romanticism and Crime.

Doesn't quite Attain Hitchcock Level of Suspense but it's a Darn Good Try.

Good Supporting Actors Help the Dialog Heavy and Talky Tale Keeps You On-Your-Toes.

The Film is a Sleek Production that has the British Film Industry Firing on All Cylinders.

"She Played With Fire" is the American Title and "Fortune is a Woman" was the Original.

Nobody seemed to Like Either One.

Definitely Worth a Watch for Fans of American Film-Noir and Sleek Studio Movie-Making at its Finest.

I saw this film when a child and it has haunted me ever since, mainly because of the very dark and disturbing dream sequences experienced by the insurance investigator played by Jack Hawkins.

These are typically Sidney Gilliat with glimpses of vignettes - a technique he has used elsewhere as in his later underrated thriller Endless Night. Brilliantly conceived.

As a previous reviewer has commented, the film captures London from the 50's very well - a London I remember as a kid so seeing it again by accident on afternoon TV recently was a nostalgic experience. A great old movie which should be on DVD.

Hawkins is an insurance investigator who coincidentally meets old flame Dahl who is married to dennis Price. The aftermath of this meeting includes two fires, a possible murder , blackmail and bigamy?? Sterling support from Geoffrey Keen and his real life father as Hawkins employers. There are enough red herrings here to keep everyone happy and Hawkins as always is superb. This is the kind of film that reminds everyone of an England that is no more. Slow cars, fur coats ,dancing and supper at a nightclub. Where Scotland yard looks it should and the coppers look like michael goodlife. The minor characters are well rounded and blend into a believable plot. And the old house in the fog coupled with the smoke from the fires remind us of the smog filled London of the 50s.

Oh how I love old British films.

This is a fine adaptation of an original novel by Winston Graham. Most only know of Graham's 'Poldark' novels, however, he also penned thrillers and other historical novels many of which have been adapted for the screen. If you are a fan of 1950s British films and Jack Hawkins then this is for you.

Through all the rest of the film after the big fire you expect Dennis Price to turn up again with his wheezing asthma, as you suspect that's what he is doing even after he first has been found dead. You simply can't believe he is dead, just as his widow does, since there are constantly recurring signs that he isn't, for instance the dog that always favoured him and all those left cigarette butts that constantly keep turning up still smoking. The first thing that must strike you about Dennis Price's character is that you shouldn't smoke when you have asthma. Well, he does in every scene in which he appears. There are many good reasons for small chuckles of laughter at various instances of jovial good humour, maybe especially after the very last scene. They are all ordinary insurance agents trying to do their job as honestly as possible, and Jack Hawkins is the most honest of them all, although he loses his temper at times and keeps delaying or postponing coming out with the truth. It's a splendidly brilliant thriller with many odds and turns, and you never quite know where anyone stands - who could ever have suspected that most innocent and honourable person of them all? The ladies are perfectly intriguing to say the least, Greta Gynt has a small part but an appallingly efficient one. Arlene Dahl as the leading lady is perfectly convincing in all her doubted innocence, and Christopher Lee makes another unforgettable impression in his only scene with a perfectly smashing black eye. Tracey Morton (Dennis Price) must have laughed himself all through the film, especially as his death is so doubtful. In brief, this is a British noir at its best and a most enjoyable titbit for any connoisseur.