La lame nue

Not-bad adaptation of Max Ehrlich's novel "First Train to Babylon" turned out to be Gary Cooper's final film (he died before its release). An American Air Freight sales manager in London testifies against a fellow employee in a murder/robbery trial; five years later, with the manager and his spouse now living in luxury, the wife begins to suspect that her husband was the killer the entire time. Hurt by a seemingly lower-end budget--and by a script that doesn't always make sense--this is still a most unusual project for Cooper, who manages a fine performance. Film builds to a fine pitch of suspense in its concluding sequence (which Adrian Lyne might have studied for his "Fatal Attraction" closer). Deborah Kerr stays wide-eyed and white-knuckled throughout as Cooper's wife; she's also quite good, though the godawful shlock music by William Alwyn underlines all of her suspicions with a thundering of drums that could wake the dead. So, is Cooper guilty or not? The finale provides an amusing frisson or two--and a twist which the ghostly voice-over informs the audience to please not betray. **1/2 from ****

...featuring Deborah Kerr as the wife of American businessman Gary Cooper, both living in London. Cooper's boss was murdered and a large amount of cash stolen, but Cooper supposedly caught the culprit before he could escape. He testifies in court, and the man (Ray McAnally) is convicted. Cooper soon uses a stock windfall to go into lucrative business with Michael Wilding, and they all prosper. Several years later, Kerr discovers a blackmail letter threatening to accuse Cooper of the murder from years ago, and while he denies guilt, Kerr isn't certain, and she's always wondered where he really got that money for his business deal, as the stolen loot was never recovered.

This is mainly remembered for being Cooper's final film. He was seriously ill while filming, and he looks uncomfortable through most of it, which actually fits with the role. Kerr is the main character, though, and she does well as the increasingly worried and paranoid wife. The supporting cast is excellent, but Michael Anderson's direction lacks pace or verve. This was a flop when released, but it's not that bad, and many stars had much, much worse final films.

Michael Anderson does a great job with this Hitchcockian melodrama, that even boasts a musical score reminiscent of Bernard Herrmann.

THE NAKED EDGE was, sadly, the against type epitaph to Gary Cooper's memorable career as an actor. Although he was dead by the time the finished film hit the screens, and he shows signs of some physical decay, Coop retains his economy of gestures and the expressive eyes. I found it odd that Kerr's name should come first in the opening credits, after all Coop had won two Oscars by then, while Kerr never picked up the statuette. At any, Coop and Kerr complement each other's acting, he as the hubby who appears to have something to hide, she as the doubting wife. The always dependable Portman as the heavy, Cushing as the prosecution lawyer, and Diane Cilento as the wife of the wrongly accused man complete the great cast.

Interesting to compare Cilento's instinctive defense of her husband with Kerr's instinctive condemnation of hers.

The story is not that great or unusual, and you can easily spot some credibility holes, but it is very atmospheric. The sole drawback is that it pads the narrative with repetitive shots of similar facial expressions, and it could have done with 10 minutes less, especially the part where you see Cooper go into Portman's place, and then only shoes and trousers for a good 8 minutes, and suddenly everyone is back at Cooper's and Kerr's.

Ultimately, despite its flaws THE NAKED EDGE rates a must-see film noir, a definite must-see for the fans of that wonderful actor, Gary Cooper.

May I respectfully disagree with many of the posters here, who, knowing that Cooper had cancer while he made this film, claim that his under-played performance proves that he lacked the necessary vigor to do the character of the beleaguered husband justice. Quite the opposite! Cooper, who was famous for under-acting, most perfectly portrays a long-loving long-suffering husband who understands why his wife suspects him, but has decided (until the end) not to tell his wife the truth. If you watch his performance carefully scene-by-scene, you will see how skilfully he manipulates the audience: Cooper makes us believe he might be guilty or ... if you wish, might not. A tour-de-force of keep-them-guessing acting in the classic Hitchcock manner. Is he evil out isn't he? Much credit must be given here to the masterful direction of Michael Anderson, another neglected English director of exceptional talent with camera and actors who ended up doing too much minor work in Hollywood, as well as the superb contribution of Berlin-born cinematographer Erwin Hiller, a protege of FW Murnau and Fritz Lang.The B&W photography is astonishing. A plot full of improbabilities, yes, and the music keep spelling out what we can see, but all in all, an excellent job of suspense in the glossy English manner.

During after hours in a nearly empty London office, a man is murdered and a sack of cash stolen. George Radcliffe, an American associate, is working late and witnesses the murderer's escape. Later, he is the key witness in a trial that sends the accused man to prison. But was he guilty? Where did the money go? Michael Anderson's 1961 thriller, "The Naked Edge," is a nicely done mystery that echoes Hitchcock's "Suspicion" in many respects. Hitchcock is also linked to the film through screenwriter Joseph Stefano, who earlier wrote "Psycho" and adapted the novel "First Train to Babylon" for this film. At age 60, Gary Cooper was at the end of his career and near the end of his life. Although looking tired as Radcliffe, Cooper manages, like Cary Grant in "Suspicion," to maintain his nice-guy image, while suggesting something darker and enigmatic. Lovely Deborah Kerr matches Joan Fontaine as the loving, but doubting wife. Kerr is at the center of the film as clues surface, her suspicions grow, and she seeks the truth behind both the murder and her husband's inexplicable behavior.

A stellar cast of stalwart British actors support the stars; led by Hermione Gingold and the priceless Wilfred Lawson, the list includes Michael Wilding, Peter Cushing, Eric Porter, and Diane Cilento. The black-and-white cinematography by Erwin Hillier captures appropriately gritty images of working class London and shadowy atmospherics that enhance the climactic suspense. Only William Alwyn's music tends to overwhelm early in the film, when the composer telescopes the action and loudly punctuates critical moments. While Anderson is not Hitchcock, and "The Naked Edge" is not "Suspicion," the director manages to maintain a brisk pace, build tension and suspense, and reach an exciting and satisfying climax.

Well done throughout, "The Naked Edge" will grip viewers and keep them absorbed to the end and beyond, when a voice-over warns the audience not to divulge the ending. Of interest for more than just a great American star's final role or for another opportunity to admire the always radiant Deborah Kerr, the film is a taut thriller that delivers. Although Hitchcock-like and Hitchcock-lite, "The Naked Edge" is worthwhile, even if dedicated crime buffs will likely outpace Kerr and guess the outcome.