The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947)

Even though he is already married, a mentally unstable artist (Humphrey Bogart) falls in love with another woman (Barbara Stanwyck). After poisoning his wife, they marry. Everything seems fine until he falls in love with another woman (Alexis Smith). Will there be a third Mrs. Carroll? Based on the play by Martin Vale and directed by Peter Godfrey (CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT). A potentially intriguing mystery movie is hampered by miscasting issues. The film takes place in England with Bogart and Stanwyck cast as Brits but neither make any attempt at an English accent. As the homicidal artist, Bogart is egregiously miscast. It's one of his rare bad performances. Stanwyck is somewhat better but she's too strong an actress to be convincing as a helpless victim. It worked in SORRY WRONG NUMBER because her character was somewhat selfish and neurotic but here she's in Joan Fontaine territory and not quite convincing. Perhaps sensing they had a flop on their hands, Warners held back the release of movie for a year. With Nigel Bruce, Isobel Elsom, Patrick O'Moore and that wonderful child actress, Ann Carter (CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE) whose assured performance puts the adults to shame.