At first this seems very bland and predictable, but around the halfway point is starts getting awesome and just keeps getting awesomer. The tension builds into a fever pitch, culminating in one of the best chase sequences I've ever seen. The climax is full of more amazing little moments than I count, with fantastic chiaroscuro photography and another terrific Bernstein score. Palance is menacing, Grahame is her usual wonderful self, and Crawford's at the top of her game. A perfect ending, too.

Rock solid noir.

Great noir! Palance is menacing as all hell.

Geeze. It's like a car parked at the top of a very steep hill being given the slightest push. The building cat and mouse games are interesting enough, but the whole sequence toward the end in the apartment is just overwhelming in how far it stretches the tension, and then there's a chase right after! Palance has a little trouble in the quiet stretches, but he sure can do crazy. Gloria Grahame owns, as always. Definitely worth the initial investment.

Two films in one, and both are great. The first half is a brooding but mostly light romance with both Crawford and Palance surprising me with the restraint in their performances. I fully bought into their romance. In the second half things turn, and the shift in tone carries over to the cinematography and performances, which get broader and creepier, but still very effective. Crawford did great with the role, selling her various changes in mood and resolve. The final sequence is a real treat.

What can I say? Joan Crawford in a closet in terror of a wind-up toy! C'mon, classic!!!

Um, I saw this? That's never a good sign.

Excellent thriller that starts out AMAZING and finishes WELL. Definitely sucks the viewer in, though.