L'ombre sur le mur

I'm convinced that movies that have SHADOW in the title have a better than average chance of being good flicks. This flick SHADOW ON THE WALL upholds that little axiom. It starts slow, but stick with it, it picks up steam quickly.

This one eschews the normal trappings of noir, such as the seedy private eye, and the femme fatale while maintaining the stark cinematography and riveting suspense. Ann Sothern turning in a surprising performance, always the good girl in movies, here the director plays on that, to create a character whose actions becomes ever more... egregious. And because she is so much one of us, one of the good people, we are carried along... with her fall.

A movie that ultimately revolves around four women as central characters, would hardly seem to fit the noirish mold, but this film is far less lifetime network and far more grim, and gritty. The only foray into the the world of Noir by its director Pat Jackson, and the only script ever done by its writer Hannah Lees, the movie is deserving of far more recognition than its received. A solid little thriller. *** out of **** stars.

A young girl(Gigi Perreau)suffers amnesia after witnessing her stepmother's murder. Zachary Scott is the husband mistakenly put in prison for the murder. Ann Southern, straying from her comedic roles, has trouble hiding her guilt and even thinks of causing harm to the little girl to keep her quiet.

Fast moving film-noir also starring John McIntire and Nancy Davis. This was before Miss Davis became Mrs. Ronald Reagan. Small roles for familiar Barbara Billingsley and Jimmy Hunt.

A young girl(Gigi Perreau) becomes traumatized after she witnesses the accidental killing of her stepmother(Kristine Miller). Well-acted film noir showcases the dramatic talents of the exceptionally gifted actress Ann Sothern, who was known primarily for her 'light' roles in films like MAISIE. The film also features an early appearance by Barbara Billingsey, better known as June Cleaver on the popular '50's sitcom LEAVE IT TO BEAVER.

'Shadow on the Wall' is the kind of film that has always interested me and is the sort that one would see me visiting quite a lot. The title is a catchy and attention-grabbing one and the story on paper sounded really interesting. Also interesting was to see Ann Sothern and Zachary Scott in roles as atypical as one can get, it is always fascinating when actors and actresses play against type. This is a heavier than usual role for Sothern and Scott is not the villain or mysterious character this time around.

Finally seeing 'Shadow on the Wall', after being behind on my film watching and reviewing, due to slowing down to help sort myself out a bit, it turned out to be an effective and well done film if falling a little short of being great. It is an example of actors actually excelling at playing against type and even if it is an uneven film a lot works in 'Shadow on the Wall's' favour. If one asks me if 'Shadow on the Wall' is recommended by me, my answer would be yes if not entirely enthusiastically.

A lot of good things here. Sothern shows that she can do more than the more light-hearted roles, here she is cold-blooded and almost femme fatale like and she does this pretty chillingly. Scott also sheds his usual villainous and mysterious character image and plays a more sympathetic character, he displays that side very well too in having intensity but not in a sinister sense this time. Gigi Perreau is neither too cute or too much of a brat, she plays a haunted young character pretty unsettlingly and it does haunt the mind. All the cast, including Nancy Reagan, are good.

The production values are stylish and atmospheric, not once looking cheap while never trying to do too much. The music is suitably ominous when necessary. The script doesn't descend into awkwardmess or cheese, instead it flows well and intrigues. The story is mostly fine, more the first half than the second, while not rushing the build up it unsettles still.

Not that the second half isn't strong, actually thought that there was intrigue and tension. The suspense got lost though in the final third or so and the momentum dipped, so it wasn't as involving or as atmospheric as what came before.

Moreover, the pace is not always there, it's solid in the first half but is erratic in the second with some padding going on.

In conclusion, well done if not great. Anybody that likes it when actors play against type should see this, two actors do it and they excel at it. 7/10

This is a very good B movie done in the noir style. Ray June was the cinematographer, and his deep focus work makes the film worth seeing all by itself. Note particularly the bedroom scene where everything is doubled. Zachary Scott, for a change, plays the typically confused noir male, and Ann Sothern, showing the force of period style, switches from Maisie to a somewhat tormented femme fatale. Enjoy!