User reviews

Yes, once, Angela Lansbury was young with a good figure (which I think she still has) and a sexy way about her.

In 1955's "A Life at Stake" she plays Doris Hillman, a woman who propositions a down-and-out architect, Edward Shaw (Keith Andes) with a business plan where she will buy property and he will put up houses. He had done this previously but he was bilked out of $37,000, (327,700 in today's money) some of which had been put up by friends. In the end he lost everything.

The flirtatious and seductive Hillman says that her husband (Douglas Dumbrille) will put up the money but that Shaw will have to buy keyman insurance for $250,000, which is $2.2 million today. This is business insurance that compensates for financial losses that would arise from the death or incapacity of an important member of a company.

Well it isn't hard to figure out what's going on, and it doesn't take Shaw that long either, even though he and Hillman fall for one another and begin sneaking around. He dodges several cars and a car where the brakes slip -- trying to stay alive is difficult around these people, but the police want proof. On top of this, he has met Hillman's sister (Claudia Barrett) and she's fallen for him.

Pretty good noir. I noticed on the reviews that many people aren't familiar with Keith Andes. He had a small but decent film career, in films such as The Farmer's Daughter, Clash by Night, Tora Tora Tora, and And Justice for All, as examples. He starred on TV in a series, This Man Dawson, and was in dozens of prime time shows up until 1980.

Most notably, he appeared on Broadway with Lucille Ball in Wildcat - he had a beautiful baritone voice; he also did Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway and toured in Man of La Mancha. At the age of 85, beset by health issues, he committed suicide.

Definitely worth seeing for young Angela and Keith Andes was certainly a hunk - he had his shirt off a lot of the time.

That early scene at poolside with Andes in a tacky suit and Lansbury in a revealing swimsuit is a fine slice of fateful seduction. The movie's remainder may not rise to that level, but it has its moments. Andes, an unemployed architect, is inveigled into an insurance scheme by an unlikely couple-- an aging Dumbrille and his young sexy wife, Lansbury. The narrative unfolds in none to clear fashion, but at least we know someone's trying to kill Andes, probably for the insurance payoff. It's almost certain Lansbury's a part of it, yet the actress's performance doesn't suggest moments of deception, unlike Stanwyck's tour-de-force in Double Indemnity (1944). Then too, a spotty script doesn't help. As a result the climactic scene lacks the emotional force it should have.

In fact, the script, as others point out, contains a number of gaps—like Andes apparently walking away from a cliffside car plunge! Then too, director Guifoyle lacks any noticeable style that might lift the visuals. Had the production been done, say, 5-years earlier, I expect a 70-minute noir would have emerged. After all, the elements are there—a spider woman, a wobbly fall-guy, a fateful scheme. All in all, the potential is there, but muddy execution undercuts the result. (In passing, at least, worthy movie vet Jane Darwell picks up a payday in a tacked-on role. Thanks be to someone in production.)

This one is a bit weird... first of all, who in the heck would build a cabin in the mountains with a back door that opens on the edge of a cliff? This door literally opens up and if you step off you are gone. Unrealistic and too convenient to me. That is my main problem with the film.

The other problem is the film starts out slow - the first 20 minutes seems like 2 hours but it does pick up after that and does get somewhat interesting.

Another problem I had is the 21 year old helping the poor guy figure out what to do - not to run away with the $1000 bill. That is a pretty lame way for this guy's problems to be solved.

It's not a horrible film mind you, it's just not all that good either. I did watch this one until the end so it's kinda interesting.

5/10

First throw in a character who is rather dull and afraid. Make him an architect who can produce nice little fifties houses that will sell. Hook him up with a millionaire who wants a 175,000 dollar life insurance policy on the guy's head in case he can't fulfill his commitment. Throw in a bored wife; or is she? Throw in police who have no respect for a dignified man who is concerned he is going to be killed. Remember, it happened before and insurance money was involved. Oh, yes, then there's the insurance company, which should be watching things like the respective hawks they are, since they got soaked the first time. Also, have everyone act stupidly, not able to figure things out. This is one contrived thriller. I'm not sure where Lansbury is in the picture. The guy should have dumped her early on. She is vapid and tiresome. She's reasonably attractive, but has more baggage than Northwest Airlines. Oh, well, it isn't Shakespeare and it does keep us guessing, sort of.

It's no secret that many judge Keith Andes (by the criteria of ethical-emotional normativeness and acting prowess) to be the best actor of the past century. Because of studio politics and poor judgment--the presentation of merely pretty faces who looked good on posters as "stars"--he only played leads in fewer than 10 films; this is a very interesting one I suggest, for several reasons. Andes has been rediscovered by critics and film fans more often than Atlantis; with the exception of 2 "I Spy" episodes where they deliberately denied him the camera to set him up for a defection and future elimination, every part he ever played, by my evaluation, deserved a nomination for best actor at some length of film. Here he plays the interesting part of an architect in a B/W noir thriller. He gradually comes to believe he is going to be killed by his partners once he signs an insurance contract, ostensibly to protect their financial investment in his ability (that alone makes a new project of profitable building possible); and he is fascinating at every moment and professionally superb in a film that give him little to work with; he makes a charismatic triumph out of an underwritten cipher. Opposite him, Douglass Dumbrille is powerful as always as his backer's jealous husband, and Angle Lansbury is attractive bu no match for Andes as a siren who tempts and perhaps threatens him a the same time. As her sister, the interesting young Claudia Barrett does quite well. The serviceable direction by Paul Guilfoyle is taut, the script above average for a "B" B/W film of ant era. This is the sort of film which has seldom been made--a good piece of inexpensive storytelling carried by competent actors. But the focus is on Andes as he goes from boredom in a lonely room to temptation by Lansbury to the gradual realization that he is perhaps being set up for elimination. The violent climax is both surprising, satisfying and visually exciting; and the ending leaves viewers equally satisfied that Andes' character will receive justice, and that he has someone who genuinely cares for him. An underrated thriller that I can unreservedly recommend; I obtained it to see Andes. But this is a good story well told on screen, a true rarity when it was made, and especially in the years of badly acted and special-effects-dominated childish film-making that have been practiced since its mid-1950's release.

Interestingly thought out thriller here, with Angela Lansbury (one of my favorite 60's actresses) playing a seductress who may or may not be setting up her business partner to die just so she can collect on some life insurance they have put up for a business deal (don't ask, I'm not 100% sure of the logistics of it). Keith Andes, an actor who I've never heard of before, plays her would-be-victim. She of course plays up her sex to him, and Andes can't resist. Oh, and did I say Lansbury was married? Soon (well, actually, quite quickly) Andes wises up and tries to foil the plan, but Lansbury and husband have plan B's in place..

This was quite a tricky little thriller. It almost looks and seems like it once was a play at one time, what with it's dormitory sets, but the acting sure signs through. Lansbury is fabulous as usual, and I have no idea what became of Keith Andes, because he certainly had the looks and the acting chops to go a long way.

Boring with poor script, direction and acting.

The storyline is not engaging. The main characters are both uninteresting and miscast. Lansbury is not a femme fatale and Andes is entirely unconvincing. He supposedly is a promising architect, but his daily activity and his physique resemble that of a prison inmate.

There are some bizarre and unintentionally funny moments too, e.g the dance in the club with Lansbury's sister where in the middle of May he is dressed (inside the club!) with heavy coat and she with a strapless!

I am a huge fan if the era, but this one will bore even the most enthusiastic

A struggling architect named Edward Shaw (Keith Andes) gets involved with a rich woman named Doris Hillman (Angela Lansbury) who is in real estate. As their business relationship deepens, Shaw is urged to take out a big life insurance policy. Soon after, he encounters some dangerous "accidents".

A LIFE AT STAKE is a very engaging crime thriller. It's also a wonderful vehicle for Ms. Lansbury to show off her wicked side. Those only familiar with her TV work should watch this!...

The main-character finds himself in a Hitchcockian situation when he suspects his female boss ( Angela Lansbury ) from wanting to kill him over insurance money. I didn't quite grasp how that works, it seems a bit far-fetched to me...Is he being paranoid? Or is there really a sinister plot to kill him over the dough? And what about the beautiful younger sister and her amazing story? The movie is as mediocre as a thriller can get, filled with illogical twists and weird choices from its characters. Angela Lansbury just doesn't convince as the seductress, but maybe that has to do with her current status as mystery solving-granny Jessica Fletcher. The main-character Keith Andes is decent enough. He's like any fifties ''hero''; a touch cynical, overly masculine and well-behaved.

We meet down-on-his-luck architect Edward Shaw (Keith Andes) in his ratty room in a run-down boarding house. He is visited by Sam Pearson, the lawyer for a wealthy couple who are interested in a partnership with him. Gus Hillman would put up the money to buy properties, Edward would oversee building houses on the lots, and Doris Hillman (Angela Landsbury) would sell them.

Edward meets Doris at her home one afternoon. She's sunbathing on an inflatable in a small pool in the backyard. Doris doesn't waste any time mentioning that her husband is frequently out of town for long stretches of time, and that they have a lot of money to throw around. She also makes some nonsense excuse to pull her bathing suit top down (and cover herself with a towel). They discuss the business proposition and he leaves.

They meet again at "a friend's apartment", alone, for a couple of drinks and to "talk business". You can tell the business Edward is interested in as he blatantly leers at her. Drinks are poured and Doris declares "Mmm! I feel just luscious!"

This is where Doris starts talking about getting some life insurance on Edward ... to protect their investment ... and Edward balks. "Is $250,000 too high?" "Not if you're a mountain goat!"

And it becomes painfully / hysterically obvious where all this is going! But it's entertaining!

My favorite scene comes up right after this. Edward is brooding on the porch of the ratty boarding house when Doris comes up in her convertible. She awkwardly leans over the passenger side and they passionately kiss WHILE NEGOTIATING AN INSURANCE POLICY! Kiss-Kiss-Smooch-Kiss-"How about $225,000?"-Kiss-Kiss-"No, $150,000!"-Smooch-Kiss-Kiss-"$200,000?"-Kiss-Kiss-"$175,000!"-Kiss-Kiss-Kiss-Kiss! It is the most bizarre and awkward thing I've seen in a long time!

Then we find out that Doris has a rather interesting past, and Edward -finally- gets suspicious about the Hillmans' intentions. When Edward reports his suspicions to the police (who can do nothing without any hard evidence) an officer asks, "Where can I get in touch with you?" and Edward replies "Rap twice on my coffin!"

There's a lot of silliness here. The Hillmans have a cabin that sits on the top of a mountain, and there is a door that literally opens onto a sheer drop off the edge. There is some nonsense about a framed $1000 bill. And there is a fight scene towards the climax where the elderly Mr. Hillman comes after Edward with a KARATE CHOP!

The sets are dirt cheap, the story isn't terribly new or clever, and Keith Andes desperately overacts as if this were "Casablanca" ... but it's interesting to see Angela Landsbury when she was a young hottie, and some scenes / plot devices are just plain old bizarre.

Recommended!

This was a decent psychological film noir that really played on our lead character's paranoia. Angela Lansbury is absolutely gorgeous as our femme fatale, Doris Hillman. Doris' agent approaches a young, handsome, down-on-his-luck architect with a business proposition.

"You better call out, sometimes she swims in the nude."-maid "Don't worry about it, so do I."-Edward Shaw (architect)

The business proposal is a partnership of sorts...Doris' husband will front the money, Edward will design and build the homes and Doris will sell them. Sounds pretty simple...but then Doris starts explaining that her husband will only front the money if the business takes out $250,000 keyman insurance on Edward, since he is the only one that can't be replaced.

"Look Mrs. Hillman, I'm wise. Now that I'm hooked I am supposed to agree to anything, isn't that it?"-Edward "Hooked?"-Doris "First the pool and swimming suit. Now this teepee and the war paint. This is one scalp you won't get."-Edward

After initially calling the whole deal off, Edward agrees to take out keyman insurance for a lesser sum...and then starts to imagine the Doris is trying to kill him, especially after he meets her sister Madge and starts to learn some truths.

This was a decent noir, but the best part was the chemistry between Doris and Edward. They were electric! I highly recommend this film for Angela Lansbury fans, she really is gorgeous and smoking up the screen in this film. Worth seeing...and maybe having a few stills from.

"Stand you up? I'd rather strangle myself."- Edward.

This film was so completely forgettable I can't think of anything to write about it less than 12 hours after watching. But since my current project is to write a review for every single classic film noir I will give it a go. I'm sorry but I just can't get into a film with Angela Lansbury as the romantic femme-fatale lead. Maybe a case of reverse typecasting? I couldn't get all her later matronly roles out of my head. There was even a suggestion we might just see her swimming in the buff in an early scene, but you needn't worry, it was just a tease. Not even the loungey Les Baxter score can save this one, even though it's available as a free download your time is worth far more.

The Extremely Cheap Production and Some Heavy-Handed and Confusing Plot Do Not Keep this Fast and Fiery Film-Noir Down.

Surrounded by Card-Board Sets and a Very-Limited Population.

The Movie Makes the Most of some Cynical and Sexy Dialog.

It Has He-Man Keith Andes in Constant Suspicious Mode Jousting with a Spunky Angela Lansbury.

Also Making Their Presence Felt is Horrible Hubby Doug Dunbrille and a Cute, Smarter than Let-On Sister, Madge Neilan.

It's a Whirlwind of Passion, Greed, and Sociopathy that Confronts Andes as He is Assaulted and Seduced Relentlessly by a Business Deal with a "Devil in a Swim Suit".

The Unnecessarily Confusing Money Machinations of the Deal are Forever Intruding in this Otherwise Sharp-Tongued Fast-Paced B-Noir.

The Over-Emphasis on the "$1,000 Bill" is also quite Clunky.

There are some Outdoor Scenes that are Visually Impressive Including a Night-Shoot on City Streets and a Break-Neck Plunge Down the Roads of the High-Mountain.

Overall, Delivering 74 Min. Of Entertainment that Rises Above its Resources with the Help of the 2 Leads and some Snappy-Patter.

Worth a Watch.

...and this one is probably Angela Lansbury's prime example. At least I hope this is her worst, as the budget couldn't have been lower, the sets cheaper, the chemistry between Angie and Keith more non-existent or credible, and the direction much worse.

Can't blame her though, she probably was desperate for funds, as almost all actors are at some point in their careers. How else to explain Gene Kelly in 'Viva Knievel', Olivia de Havilland in 'The Swarm', John Wayne in 'The Conquerer', etc., etc.

But she's bad in this. She's no femme fatale, and doesn't even seem to know how to become one. It doesn't help that Andes is her scene partner. As others have mentioned, he's easy on the eyes -- if you look quickly -- but his acting is atrocious. He plods around bored out of his mind throughout the entire film, like he's just swallowed a Valium the size of a golf ball. And that deep smoker's voice quickly becomes like fingernails on a chalkboard.

The one saving grace, albeit too old to be cast as Lansbury's husband, is the inimitably grouchy character actor Douglass Dumbrille, a true pro. But even he can't save this drippy mess of a movie.

Edited to add: I was wrong. Just watched the first part of "Please Murder Me" (1955), and Lansbury is even WORSE in that film. Horrible acting, incapable of showing the proper emotion, or really any genuine emotion in her scenes with Raymond Burr.

Just viewed this film tonight for the first time.The basic plot is that the main character(keith andes) is concerned that some near accidents are attempts to do him in for $175,000 worth of life insurance.That is still a good amount of money today but in 1954 when this film was made it was near a fortune.Previously I read the main character was a husband,not so,he is single and concerned a husband and wife are trying to put him in an early grave.The plot is not really deep nor is the ending a great big surprise.What puts the movie over are the quality performances in this black and white drama.Not to often have I viewed the t v program "murder she wrote" but have seen Angela Lansbury in a few old movies,as in this one she shows a lot of talent.Her part is a seductive one and she does it well lounging around or near the swimming pool all day long.The target of her charms is Edward Shaw(Keith Andes).Her husband is played by Douglass Dumbrille a fine character actor with many screen credits.I have been a fan of his since seeing him play the pirate Israel Hands in the 1934 version of Treasure Island.He is so talented it's hard to believe it's the same actor in both these movies.The kid sister of Angela Lansbury is played well by Claudia Barrett,one year earlier Claudia was seen in the infamous "robot monster".Whatever happened to Claudia?Jane Darwell plays the part of the landlady,she gave a strong performance as the mother of Henry Fonda in "grapes of wrath".A good cast,big overcoats,shiny big cars(they called them boats back then)and a lot of other things made this movie enjoyable for me.

Not bad, but not great. A kind of middle of the road noir film. My biggest issue is personal, I just cannot see Angela Lansbury as a sex kitten - she will always be Jessica Fletcher or Miss Price. For a general time killer this one is fine. Hades its better than most movies put out today.

Angela Lansbury goes femme fatale while Keith Andes displays some beefcake and cluelessness in this stilted tale of deception and passion that holds no surprises. Telegraphed from end to end the only interest is watching a slim and youthful Jessica Fletcher work her seductive magic on the naive Andes.

Down on his luck, cranky architect Edward Shaw is visited by a shady lawyer who offers him a way out of debt and pay back investors by entering into a building deal with comely Doris Hillman. The deal hinges on a life insurance policy Shaw has to take out to satisfy her husband Gus (Douglas Dumbrille) around security issues. It looks like a set-up but Doris knows how to push his buttons and once signed up she and Gus set the trap.

A LIfe at Stake comes across obvious and rediculous from start to finish, bordering at times on polished parody. The scene where the passionate lovers are making out in the car while haggling over the policy is unintentional high comedy. Lansbury's Doris is blatantly insincere and transparent, Andes blind to the obvious unconvincing and when could anyone trust Douglas Dumbrille in a film to enter into a shady deal like this? Outside of watching Miss Marple cavorting in a bathing suit "Life" has none to little to look at.