Why is it that Edgar Ulmer's most interesting movies get panned? Hedy Lamarr is an outstanding femme fatale - every time she looks at the camera, you understand the men who do dumb shit for her. She's a heartbreaker. It's a very complex role, too, in that her villainy all comes from her insecurity. You don't see many noirs with characters this well-rounded, and I'm always thrilled with one from a woman's POV. The camerawork is stunning - maybe Ulmer's best since The Black Cat.

The depth and richness of characterization here is surprising at this low budget level of film-making.