Anthony Mann was the right choice for bringing this adaptation of a Vicky Baum's story to the screen. Mr. Mann was an innovator whose presence on any movie heralded wonderful things. He doesn't disappoint in this story of love, betrayal and murder that is set among the vaudeville circuit of those years.
We are introduced to the Great Flamirion, a man who is a sharp shooter, as he performs his act with the assistance of the Wallaces, a couple that move around the stage, as he shoots at different objects Connie and Al are holding. Flamirion is a relic of that circuit; he is a man of a certain age who has sworn off women from his life. Connie, the scheming half of the Wallaces, has another thing in mind.
Connie insinuates herself to Flamirion because she can't take anymore of Al's drunkenness. Flamirion falls for this beautiful woman with a passion he didn't know he had in him. The end result is that Connie wants to get rid of her husband with the assistance of Flamarion. In the meantime, Connie falls in love with a younger man, Tony, who is part of a cycling act.
When all of Connie's plans are executed, she disappears because as she tells Flamarion, they must lay low for a while. She decides to go home to Minnesota, but that's only an excuse to leave with Tony on a tour South of the border, where she is sure the old man will not find her. But as fate would have it, Flamirion finds her.
Erich Von Stroheim, a distinguished director himself, plays Flamarion with panache. He captures the turmoil Flamarion feels when he is abandoned by the scheming Connie, in a great performance. Mary Beth Hughes is perfect as Connie. Dan Duryea plays the drunk Al Wallace with relish. Lester Allen appears as Tony.
The film is enhanced by the wonderful camera work by James Brown, whose black and white photography reflects the rich life of the theater. Alexander Lazlo's musical score matches the action. Ultimately, the film works because the way Anthony Mann sets the action in so many interesting angles that is hard to take one's eyes for fear of missing something from what he put in the film.
We are introduced to the Great Flamirion, a man who is a sharp shooter, as he performs his act with the assistance of the Wallaces, a couple that move around the stage, as he shoots at different objects Connie and Al are holding. Flamirion is a relic of that circuit; he is a man of a certain age who has sworn off women from his life. Connie, the scheming half of the Wallaces, has another thing in mind.
Connie insinuates herself to Flamirion because she can't take anymore of Al's drunkenness. Flamirion falls for this beautiful woman with a passion he didn't know he had in him. The end result is that Connie wants to get rid of her husband with the assistance of Flamarion. In the meantime, Connie falls in love with a younger man, Tony, who is part of a cycling act.
When all of Connie's plans are executed, she disappears because as she tells Flamarion, they must lay low for a while. She decides to go home to Minnesota, but that's only an excuse to leave with Tony on a tour South of the border, where she is sure the old man will not find her. But as fate would have it, Flamirion finds her.
Erich Von Stroheim, a distinguished director himself, plays Flamarion with panache. He captures the turmoil Flamarion feels when he is abandoned by the scheming Connie, in a great performance. Mary Beth Hughes is perfect as Connie. Dan Duryea plays the drunk Al Wallace with relish. Lester Allen appears as Tony.
The film is enhanced by the wonderful camera work by James Brown, whose black and white photography reflects the rich life of the theater. Alexander Lazlo's musical score matches the action. Ultimately, the film works because the way Anthony Mann sets the action in so many interesting angles that is hard to take one's eyes for fear of missing something from what he put in the film.