The Dark Corner (1946)

A private detective (Mark Stevens) has relocated from San Francisco to New York to start a new life. But his past catches up with him when he unknowingly becomes involved in a plot to make him the fall guy in a murder. Based on a serialized magazine story by Leo Rosten and directed by Henry Hathaway (TRUE GRIT). This convoluted example of film noir was well received critically but didn't fare well at the box office. Today, it has a solid reputation among noir fans but honestly, I found it unnecessarily tangled. As the movie's protagonist, Mark Stevens isn't an interesting enough actor to hold our attention but fortunately, he's surrounded by some solid performances. In a dramatic role, Lucille Ball as Stevens' secretary brings some strength to an underwritten role and Clifton Webb brings his trademark waspishness and elegance to his possessive husband. With William Bendix, Cathy Downs, Kurt Kreuger and Constance Collier.