Woman In The Dark (1934)

Recently released from prison after serving three years for manslaughter, a man (Ralph Bellamy) attempts to live a quiet life in a secluded cabin. But his plans are interrupted when a beautiful girl (Fay Wray) arrives at his cabin in the middle of a storm asking for shelter. Things continue to go awry when he's falsely accused of a murder attempt and he's forced to flee from the law along with the girl. Based on the short story by Dashiell Hammett (THE MALTESE FALCON) and directed by Phil Rosen (MYSTERY OF MARIE ROGET). Limited by its low budget status, the movie is restricted to playing out on a small series of sets like a play. I can't recall a film where all the men are portrayed as either jerks, boors, criminal or sleazy as they are here. Poor Fay Wray is constantly being pawed and molested through out the film, even by its "hero" (Bellamy). As cinema, it's moderately entertaining if overly complicated. With Melvyn Douglas (in a rare scumbag role), Roscoe Ates, Nell O'Day and Ruth Gillette.