Fortune Is a Woman

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.

It's Christmas Eve London. Insurance adjuster Oliver Branwell is sent to investigate a fire claim at a large manor. Tracey Moreton lives there with his mother and wife Sarah. Oliver and Sarah exchange knowing looks. They have history.

It's a British noir mystery thriller. The acting is a little old school melodramatic when they do the dramatic turns. I like the back and forth with the suspicion. There is some fine paranoid thriller material. It's pretty good.

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.

Jack Hawkins is Oliver, an insurance adjuster who runs into a past love (Arlene Dahl) while on a case in "She Played with Fire."

While checking on a claim of fire in a mansion owned by Tracey Moredon (Dennis Price), he learns that Moredon has married his girlfriend, Sarah, from five years ago.

Later he discovers that a valuable painting ruined in the fire was actually sold to someone else. He later finds Moredon dead and suspects Sarah.

Decent noir with some gothic horror touches, with a nice performance from flirtatious Greta Gynt.

A neat twist at the end. A final note: my friend, Jack Larson, who knew everyone, said that of s the gorgeous women in Hollywood, Dahl was the most stunning.

3 likesJack Hawkins is Oliver, an insurance adjuster who runs into a past love (Arlene Dahl) while on a case in "She Played with Fire."

While checking on a claim of fire in a mansion owned by Tracey Moredon (Dennis Price), he learns that Moredon has married his girlfriend, Sarah, from five years ago.

Later he discovers that a valuable painting ruined in the fire was actually sold to someone else. He later finds Moredon dead and suspects Sarah.

Decent noir with some gothic horror touches, with a nice performance from flirtatious Greta Gynt.

A neat twist at the end. A final note: my friend, Jack Larson, who knew everyone, said that of s the gorgeous women in Hollywood, Dahl was the most stunning.

3 likesJack Hawkins is Oliver, an insurance adjuster who runs into a past love (Arlene Dahl) while on a case in "She Played with Fire."

While checking on a claim of fire in a mansion owned by Tracey Moredon (Dennis Price), he learns that Moredon has married his girlfriend, Sarah, from five years ago.

Later he discovers that a valuable painting ruined in the fire was actually sold to someone else. He later finds Moredon dead and suspects Sarah.

Decent noir with some gothic horror touches, with a nice performance from flirtatious Greta Gynt.

A neat twist at the end. A final note: my friend, Jack Larson, who knew everyone, said that of s the gorgeous women in Hollywood, Dahl was the most stunning.

Director Gilliat pulls off a great film despite some loose ends that are hard to tie, as much as insurance investigator, Oliver Branwell (Jack Hawkins) tries to do it. One of them is Tricksie, the poodle pooch that appears once, then is looked for, and is not mentioned or seen again... but that is minor stuff.

The really good thing is that this noir doubles very effectively as a whodunnit, in the search for the murderer of Morton (Dennis Price) and the arsonist that sets fire to the mansion.

The cast is fantastic: even Bernard Miles, Christopher Lee, and Malcolm and Geoffrey Keen surface in small but high quality roles. Hawkins is as dependable and well-spoken as ever, stunning Arlene Dahl simply steals the show.

Excellent cinematography by Gerald Gibbs, including recurring nightmare sequence that does much to link the action together.

Recommended viewing.