Ivy (1947)

Set in Edwardian England, an attractive young wife (Joan Fontaine) is tired of being poor and sets her sights on a wealthy millionaire (Herbert Marshall). All she has to do is get rid of her loving husband (Richard Ney) and her passionate lover (Patric Knowles). Based on the novel THE STORY OF IVY by Marie Adelaide Lowndes and directed by Sam Wood (GOODBYE MR. CHIPS). Good trashy fun with Fontaine's deliciously manipulative gold digger rivaling Gene Tierney's psychotic in LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN. Alas, this being made during the Hays Code era, she must pay for her crimes but honestly, her character is so much more interesting and fun than all the dopes around her that I was rooting for her. I loved Fontaine's furtive pleasure in her wickedness and she looks terrific in her exquisite Orry Kelly gowns. The attractive B&W noir-ish cinematography is by the great Russell Metty (WRITTEN ON THE WIND). With Cedric Hardwicke, Lucile Watson, Sara Allgood, Isobel Elsom, Rosalind Ivan, Norma Varden and in a nice change of pace, Una O'Connor in a toned down performance as a psychic played without her usual high pitched voice.