Fortune Is a Woman

This low-budget British film succeeds where many high-budget Hollywood films failed in the 1950s; it has a good storyline, fine acting and direction, and enough red herrings to start a fish store.

Jack Hawkins and Arlene Dahl are the headliners for this film; both fine supporting actors in many other films. Hawkins, in particular, is very sharp. He would soon star in Ben Hur in just another year or so.

I kept thinking of Double Indemnity and the Postman Always Rings Twice as I was watching the movie, and a few of those elements were present, but the plot was very original. Good viewing.

Director Gilliat pulls off a great film despite some loose ends that are hard to tie, as much as insurance investigator, Oliver Branwell (Jack Hawkins) tries to do it. One of them is Tricksie, the poodle pooch that appears once, then is looked for, and is not mentioned or seen again... but that is minor stuff.

The really good thing is that this noir doubles very effectively as a whodunnit, in the search for the murderer of Morton (Dennis Price) and the arsonist that sets fire to the mansion.

The cast is fantastic: even Bernard Miles, Christopher Lee, and Malcolm and Geoffrey Keen surface in small but high quality roles. Hawkins is as dependable and well-spoken as ever, stunning Arlene Dahl simply steals the show.

Excellent cinematography by Gerald Gibbs, including recurring nightmare sequence that does much to link the action together.

Recommended viewing.

I saw this film when a child and it has haunted me ever since, mainly because of the very dark and disturbing dream sequences experienced by the insurance investigator played by Jack Hawkins.

These are typically Sidney Gilliat with glimpses of vignettes - a technique he has used elsewhere as in his later underrated thriller Endless Night. Brilliantly conceived.

As a previous reviewer has commented, the film captures London from the 50's very well - a London I remember as a kid so seeing it again by accident on afternoon TV recently was a nostalgic experience. A great old movie which should be on DVD.

Engaging, Entertaining Mystery from a Top-Notch British Film-Crew with some Outstanding Dark and Fluid Cinematography, Direction and Acting.

Jack Dawkins and Arlene Dahl Headline this Plot-Twister that has Elements of a Late Film-Noir that Keeps Viewers Guessing while Unreeling some Dark Gothic Imagery.

The Ending has been Criticized as a Letdown, but Getting there is an Intense Atmosphere of Romanticism and Crime.

Doesn't quite Attain Hitchcock Level of Suspense but it's a Darn Good Try.

Good Supporting Actors Help the Dialog Heavy and Talky Tale Keeps You On-Your-Toes.

The Film is a Sleek Production that has the British Film Industry Firing on All Cylinders.

"She Played With Fire" is the American Title and "Fortune is a Woman" was the Original.

Nobody seemed to Like Either One.

Definitely Worth a Watch for Fans of American Film-Noir and Sleek Studio Movie-Making at its Finest.

Hawkins is an insurance investigator who coincidentally meets old flame Dahl who is married to dennis Price. The aftermath of this meeting includes two fires, a possible murder , blackmail and bigamy?? Sterling support from Geoffrey Keen and his real life father as Hawkins employers. There are enough red herrings here to keep everyone happy and Hawkins as always is superb. This is the kind of film that reminds everyone of an England that is no more. Slow cars, fur coats ,dancing and supper at a nightclub. Where Scotland yard looks it should and the coppers look like michael goodlife. The minor characters are well rounded and blend into a believable plot. And the old house in the fog coupled with the smoke from the fires remind us of the smog filled London of the 50s.

Oh how I love old British films.