The Woman in the Window

If you watch a lot of 40s and 50s film noir you may start to feel a sense of déjà vu on occasion; the same actors, directors, setting and storylines crop up over and over again. However, nothing gives you the heebie-jeebies more when you have two films from the same director out within a year of one another with two of the same principle cast. Is ‘The Woman in the Window’, just the same as ‘Scarlet Street’?

Edward G. Robinson stars as Professor Richard Wanley, an academic who is happier talking to his friends in his Gentlemen’s Club than living it up. However, one day he changes a habit of a lifetime and on meeting an attractive woman agrees to go back to her house. A couple of drinks later and one dead body, suddenly we are thrust into a ‘Colombo’ like mystery. Can Professor Wanley and this mysterious woman trust one another to hide the fact they have killed a man?

Whilst ‘Scarlet Street’ was a fantastic film noir, ‘Woman in the Window’ is more of an oddity than anything else. Part ‘Twilight Zone’, part ‘Colombo’, it predates both these shows with its strange take on a story and knowing who the killer is early on. Robinson is strong as always as the put upon Professor Wanley, but even he can’t paper over the cracks of what is a slightly bizarre set of circumstances. What is enjoyable is the police procedural elements as Professor Wanley’s friend (who happens to be the lead investigator) unravels the well thought out plan. Fritz Lang is never able to pinpoint exactly what the film is – murder mystery or character study. It ends up being neither and the bizarre ending makes it enjoyable to watch, but no classic of the genre.

TURNED OF AFTER 5 MINUTES

i wasnt sure why i rented this title as when it arrived it was made in 1945 and was in black and white. im not a fan of black and white films but gave it a chance and im very glad i did. it was a good film, with a great twist at the end. well worth a watch, even if like me your not a fan of old movies!!!

Although made in 1945 this is still a very watchable film. Stars of yesteryear such as Joan Bennett and Edward G Robinson give excellent performances. It makes for good viewing for those who like me enjoy the old movies. The story, although totally unbelievable, nevertheless held my attention throughout.

Director Fritz Lang made several films where the little man is drawn fatally into tragedy from one mistake (see my other reviews of Lang's American films). This is among the best, sharing some cast with 'Scarlet Street' but with a different writer, Nunally Johnson, who produced a very tight script. As usual with Lang, the artificial sets and expressionist style add to the overall effect. Apparantly, the 'surprise' ending was forced on Lang to avoid giving audiences the impression that someone had escaped being punished for a crime committed. A rare case of the censor improving on a finished piece of cinema.