Watch Black Angel

Black Angel is a 1946 film noir directed by Roy William Neill and based on the novel of the same name by Cornell Woolrich. Set in Los Angeles during World War II, the film follows the story of a desperate man named Martin Blair (Dan Duryea), who sets out to clear the name of his wife, who has been found guilty of murder. Along the way, he becomes involved with a lounge singer named Mavis Marlowe (June Vincent) and the mysterious Hungarian Alex Kirk (Peter Lorre), both of whom may have more to do with the murder than they let on.

The film begins with the murder of the popular singer Mavis Marlowe's (Vincent) ex-boyfriend, Kirk Bennett (John Phillips), whom she had accused of blackmail. The prime suspect in the murder is Catherine Bennett (Constance Dowling), Kirk's estranged wife and Martin Blair's wife. Catherine had left Martin (Duryea) for Kirk, and when Kirk is found dead, Catherine is the first to be accused. Martin is desperate to prove his wife's innocence, and when he meets Mavis, he sees an opportunity to do just that.

Mavis has an alibi for the night of the murder, as she was performing at a club owned by Marko (Broderick Crawford), a former mobster who has gone legitimate. However, Martin begins to suspect that Mavis is involved with the murder when he discovers that her alibi is not as airtight as it seems. The investigation leads Martin and Mavis to the Hungarian immigrant Alex Kirk (Lorre), who may have more information about the murder than he is willing to share.

The relationship between Martin and Mavis provides the emotional heart of the movie. While Martin is consumed with clearing his wife's name, he finds himself drawn to Mavis, who is equally lost and alone. Despite their growing attraction, however, Martin remains focused on proving his wife's innocence, and the tension of the investigation builds as they discover more about the murder and each other.

Black Angel is a taut and suspenseful film noir, with intricate plot twists and unexpected turns. The film is masterfully shot by Neill, who creates a moody and foreboding atmosphere through the use of shadows and light. The score by Frank Skinner is also notable, providing an ominous and haunting backdrop to the film's dark storyline.

The performances are uniformly strong, with Duryea and Vincent conveying a deep sense of desperation and longing. Duryea, in particular, shines as the tortured husband who will stop at nothing to prove his wife's innocence. Lorre, meanwhile, is perfectly cast as the enigmatic and somewhat sinister Alex Kirk, who keeps the audience guessing until the film's explosive finale.

Black Angel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and human connection in a way that is both thrilling and emotional. As the investigation leads the characters deeper into the tangled web of the murder, the film becomes a meditation on the nature of love and the lengths that people will go to protect those they care about.

In conclusion, Black Angel is a classic film noir that continues to captivate audiences to this day. It is a tense and suspenseful thriller that explores complex themes with style and nuance. With its superb performances, masterful direction, and haunting score, it is a true masterpiece of the genre.

Black Angel is a 1946 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.