The Blue Gardenia

Ho-hum direction from Lang and acting from Baxter hold this one back from fully shining. Behind the lackluster centerpieces are some really strong and entertaining supporting performances, lead by Burr's creepy playboy extraordinaire. Other than a weak ending that feels like it's out of another film, the story has some interesting moments in it and is pretty well constructed, certainly enough to keep me very engaged. Fun film, but flawed.

Good atmospheric thriller from Fritz Lang, with great work from Baxter, Conte, Southern and Burr.

This Fritz Lang film not only deals with his usual material of fate (a woman's life is changed by answering a phone call not intended for her) but is also a subtle examination of the systematic forces by which men attempt to control and objectify women. The ending strains credulity, alas.

It's interesting how sexually charged this is, featuring a few promiscuous characters and dialogue peppered with innuendo. But the plot relies on such contrived devices that it becomes silly. Alcohol-induced amnesia, a paranoid murderer acting so strange and suspicious (yet no one thinks anything of it), an abrupt twist that literally contradicts everything the film has previously shown us, and an easy, happy ending. It also seems to lack any effort from Lang, and I'm not a fan of Richard Conte.

Another ho-hum film from Fritz Lang's American years. With a not-very-original story there are few surprises and very little tension. It also ends with a really dumb twist. Anne Baxter isn't that great, and the references to "Mickey Mallet" detective stories are cornball. There are a few inspired moments, and the Nat "King" Cole cameo was nice, but other than that it's merely serviceable, and not terribly noir. It sort of gets the job done, but could use a whole lot more atmosphere and style.

The acting by the three gal roomates was the high point and the weak story the low point of this average 50's crime thriller.

"That's the end of every biography online, 'He was in Contempt, and then he died.'" http://illusionpodcast.blogspot.com/2015/07/episode-64-films-noir-of-fritz-lang.html

Had the script been more developed and Lang's work more serious, this should've had all the ingredients of a noir classic. Numerous details that were not essentially part of the story worked better than the narration and plot development themselves.

While not one of Lang's best noirs, this film has an interestingly cynical and sleazy edge to it, while also remaining pretty light hearted. Baxter is good in a not very interesting lead part (she's essentially saddled with a generic good girl role), while Burr is really magnificent as a ruthless womanizer.

Pretty familiar but well done minor Lang noir. Very watchable and enjoyable, though the ending feels a little like a cheat (though there is some groundwork laid.) I don't think it's really something I'll remember forever, but another solid entry for Lang.

Let me get this straight. Fritz Lang was virtually blind and managed to get Anne Baxter to stop staring into space when saying her lines, but DeMille and Mankiewicz had 20/20 vision and she hardly looks her co-stars in the eye?

Blackmail's murder + I Confess' dream girl + Piccadilly's confession = The best Hitchcock movie that Fritz Lang made. I also liked Nat King Cole's theme song.