The Spider and the Fly

Eric Portman plays a police officer desperate to get Guy Rolfe behind bars in "The Spider and the Fly" from 1949.

Eric Portman is Fernand Maubert, a French police officer around World War II. He is being heavily criticized because he is unable to catch a very efficient robber, Philippe Lodocq (Guy Rolfe) who always seems to have an alibi when there's a robbery.

If things weren't bad enough, both men are in love with the same woman (Nadia Gray). She is madly in love with Philippe, who at first uses her; later, however, he realizes that he does love her.

Happily for Maubert, he is able finally to catch Philippe and throw him in prison for six years. War breaks out, and Maubert, working with the government, is summoned and given an assignment. Maubert knows just the man to carry it out.

I don't know if I gave this an 8 because I've seen so mediocre films lately, or if this was really good. I think this was really good, particularly because of the performances of Portman and the elegant, handsome Guy Rolfe. I only knew him from the film "King of the Khyber Rifles" but was too busy looking at Tyrone Power to notice him.

The lesson of the film is that, for the good of a country, opposing forces can work together. Given the situation in the U. S. today, I found it timely.

There's are two twists at the end, both of which add to the film.

Recommended, especially if you're not familiar with Guy Rolfe.

Paris at the outset of the impending doom, which would erupt into World War One. Suave, sophisticated, smart talking but savage Guy Rolfe strives to stay one step ahead of dapper, unflappable chief of police, Eric Portman, who, as the title implies, bides his time, awaiting the appropriate moment to catch his prey.

It all starts to go horribly wrong for Rolfe, when a routine, dead of night caper, involving a spot of tight rope walking and an assault on the north face of the Eiger results in the death of both his accomplice and a police officer. Soon afterwards, Portman nails his man, but it's all so civilized and well....well-mannered. It's like watching a game of chess. Could you imagine Bogart serenely accompanying the arresting officer on a gentle stroll, exchanging pleasantries, popping into a bar for a convivial, 'fair cop guv' drink, before continuing to the station to face charges and jail? NO WAY! Given the slenderest opportunity, he'd have unleashed the knuckle sandwich from Hell and disappeared into the night.

Where 'Spider and the Fly' scores some Brownie points is as a 'twofer'. The cop vs robber scenario is only half the story. As the Great War rages, Rolfe rots remorselessly in a prison cell until Portman identifies him as a potential hot property in the allied effort and presses for his release.

Despite the presence of love interest Nadia Gray, the movie never really sparks, seems oddly devoid of passion. Everyone is so ensconced in prim, proper Edwardian style decorum, that 'Spider and the Fly' remains a tepid, torpid plodder, most notable for brief, early appearances by Hattie Jacques, Arthur Lowe and Campbell Singer - familiar faces on British T. V. during the 1960's and 70's.

This is an unusual film from the highly-rated Robert Hamer containing two superb performances from Eric Portman and the statuesque Guy Rolfe. Rolfe is a revelation in that he is in no way overshadowed by Portman and his physical presence dominates his scenes. The script matches the performances and the locations, direction, lighting, and camera-work ensure is it wholly convincing throughout. Set in France just before and during the Great War, there are some truly tense and suspenseful scenes and the film holds you from start to finish. It is a picture which, because of its unusual atmosphere and setting, together with the performances and story-line, stays with you. The last two scenes are touching and beautifully played. Why more was not made of Guy Rolfe's talent and presence by giving him more prime roles in his career is a mystery to me. Try not to miss this one.

Eric Portman is a French police inspector who is used to committing the professional bank robber Guy Rolfe, he has done that a number of times and knows him well, so when in 1916 in the middle of the war a special burglar job is needed in the German legation in Berne, Switzerland, Eric recommends Rolfe, who gets the job. The complication is that they both love the same woman, a certain Madeleine (Nadia Gray), a fact which involves some unforeseen circumstances.

The story is very thought-provoking, there is a toch of tragedy to it as well, Portman and Rolfe are both at their best, and they team very well together.

The 'gentleman crook' and his ongoing battle of wits with a police detective has proved to be of immense appeal. Raffles had his Inspector Mackenzie, Lupin his Inspector Ganimard and Simon Templar his Inspector Teal. Here it is the mercurial Ledocq of Guy Rolfe versus the earthy Inspector Maubert of Eric Portman. Although on opposite sides of the law theirs is a very interesting relationship based on mutual admiration and is further complicated by their being rivals for the enigmatic Madeleine of Nadia Gray. However, a cruelly ironic twist of Fate thwarts them both.........

Films set in Europe featuring English actors seldom ring true but this is a glorious exception. Both Portman and Rolfe, whose career alas was hampered by tuberculosis, are first class. Excellent support from Edward Chapman and Maurice Denham. It is of course the lovely Miss Gray who supplies the exotic touch.

Based by writer Robert Westerby on a story related to him by a member of the French police, this film is atmospherically shot by Geoffrey Unsworth and marks an impressive editorial debut by Seth Holt.

Although no doubt considered a 'minor' work of Robert Hamer this is extremely entertaining. It typifies Hamer's flair, distinctive visual style and what one critic astutely called 'his bitter intelligence'.