Based on the 1912 novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes (expanded from her short story), this third and best version of Lodger easily beats the earlier efforts - yes, including the silent film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The lushly produced, atmospheric film, written by play-writer Barre Lyndon, produced by Darryll F. "Gone with the wind" Zanuck and directed by German-born John (Hans) Brahm, Fox's 1944 Lodger is excellent Gaslight Gothic. It is set in fascinating, romantic milieu that unfortunately existed only in the movies - 1940's Hollywood version of Victorian London, complete with the opulent interiors, black and white photography, clean streets and clean-mouthed, literate dialogue, stalked by the murderer who is now called Jack the Ripper (not the Avenger, like in the novel and earlier film versions). Laird Cregar is sexually troubled lodger suspected as dirty deeds and despite his hate toward women, he is sympathetic just as the poor "actresses" he kills - more a troubled, tortured soul than your everyday sleazy misogynist. Merle Oberon is the pure and pretty heroine, a dance-hall actress and can can dancer, and George Sanders is the Scotland Yard detective. A classic.
Review of The Lodger
