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A chilling portrayal of southern provincialism and prejudice, "They Won't Forget" is a dark story about the aftermath of a murder in a small town. Lana Turner, in her first film role, plays Mary, the teen who is mysteriously murdered. Though she is on screen briefly, she makes a memorable impression.

Claude Rains plays Andy Griffin, the local attorney who unofficially teams with a reporter to convict an outsider of the crime. Edward Norris plays Robert Hale, the relocated northerner who teaches at a local business school where Mary's lifeless body is found. He becomes an easy target, and circumstantial evidence is used to indict him. Meanwhile, there are calls for mob "justice" and a circus-like atmosphere descends on the town as the trial gains national attention.

There are many films about mob rule, including "Fury" which was released the previous year, and "The Ox-Bow Incident", which would be released in 1943. "They Won't Forget", which is based on an actual event, is as fine as any of them. Directed by William A. Wellman, it has visual flair and it has the intensity necessary to tell this emotional story.

If you like your rom-com served with a side of gore, this film might be for you. Actually, it is best described as a dark comedy.

When Martha (Anna Kendrick) meets Francis (Sam Rockwell), her life is a little off balance, and she is vulnerable. But there is an attraction there, and she finds herself gravitating toward this quirky guy who can make her laugh, even though she knows little about him.

It would feel unfair to reveal much more about the plot, but let's just say those who appreciate dark comedy are best suited to this film. I came to the film because I appreciate Anna Kendrick; this is the strangest role I have seen her play so far.

It is no surprise that Hitchcock 's "Dial M for Murder" is better than this remake of the story, but this film is still well made. The cast is excellent. Michael Douglas plays the husband who has everything but his wife's fidelity. Gwyneth Paltrow plays the wife who seeks something more from a handsome artist. And Viggo Mortensen plays the artist who is forced to play a cat-and-mouse game with the suspicious husband.

Whereas "Dial M" confined most of the action to the crime scene, as a theater piece would, "A Perfect Murder" opens up the action. It feels less stage-bound. But that does not make it a better suspense film. Hitchcock's film used the claustrophobia of its set to magnify the interplay between the husband and wife.

Most of the major plot points are unchanged in this version. And this version is worth seeing. The "perfect murder" theme is always fun to watch if done well, and it is done well in this film directed by Andrew Davis.