Bride Of Vengeance (1949)

Set in the early 16th century, a loveless marriage is arranged between Lucretia Borgia (Paulette Goddard) and the Duke of Ferrara (John Lund) for an acquisition of property. But she struggles with her burning desire for vengeance against the Duke, who she believes is responsible for her husband's (John Sutton) death and her growing love for the Duke. Directed by Mitchell Leisen (EASY LIVING). Mitchell Leisen began his career as a costume designer at Paramount before graduating to film directing. His output was very good including films like MIDNIGHT, REMEMBER THE NIGHT, HOLD BACK THE DAWN and TO EACH HIS OWN. But by the end of the decade, his career was waning and this historical (and highly inaccurate) epic is pure hokum. Goddard brings a movie star's presence to the film but the film's leading man John Lund is non descript! The best performance in the film comes from Macdonald Carey as Cesare Borgia, normally a bland an actor as Lund but villainy suits him nicely. With Albert Dekker, Raymond Burr, Rose Hobart and Anthony Caruso.