I rated this movie 6/10 mainly because apart from the good acting of Robert Ryan, Claudette Colbert was directed in an unconvincing way by Mel Ferrer.The most ludicrous scene she had was when she mentally breaks down in the witness box during the murder trial scene and she never convinced as a concert pianist as the director used the old trick of filming her from angles which did not disclose her hand positions.In films about famous pianists with Hollywood actors playing the musician, a good edit has a close up of a professional pianist's hands then cuts to a head and shoulders of the actor.The big fault in the screenplay was supposing every character could be bribed to agree to the same lie.Surely moral turpitude in America was not so base in 1950 especially after the big lie of Hitler 5 years before.The movie gained my attention for its duration and I was pleasantly surprised by the rather Agatha Cristie-like ending.It had its pros (exciting story that kept one guessing and cons (improbability) and this was my first viewing.I recently saw "Since You Went Away" (1944) when Claudette Colbert was better cast in her role as a mother of two daughters whose husband has been called up into the U.S. Army during WW11.

This movie was terrific and even with a less than convincing ending, it's still well worth seeing. The film begins as Claudette Colbert is about to marry Robert Ryan. When the minister asks if anyone has any objections, a guy jumps up and announces that Colbert CAN'T get married because she already is married!! Colbert insists this isn't true, but when they investigate they find that the Justice of the Peace and many others remember her wedding and there is even a signed wedding license! Slowly, it becomes apparent that Claudette's mind is slipping and people around her seriously doubt her sanity. Then, when the supposed first husband is murdered, all evidence and suspicion falls on Colbert.The film is an exciting mystery suspense film, as what I have so far described is only the first half of the movie. What follows is amazingly intelligent and captivating. Unfortunately, the conclusion, though, is a bit of a let-down, as the guiding force behind all this turns out to come "right out of left field"--and is baffling since it was so unexpected and impossible to guess based on the information given to the viewer. However, in spite of this, the film was so good, I can even excuse the limp ending. In particular, Robert Ryan did a great job as the "knuckle-busting" fiancé, though apart from him the other performances were also excellent.

When ever a film is produced or directed by Mel Ferrer, you can bet your life any of his pictures will be seen for generation after generation. Just having Claudette Colbert,(Ellen R. Ewing),"The Egg & I",'47 appearing and starring in the film will make it even more of a great Classic Film. In this film, Ellen Ewing gets married and then she encounters all kinds of mental problems and even murder. The mystery gets very much involved and Robert Ryan,(David McLean),"Battle of the Bulge",'65, comes to the aid of Ellen and sometimes you even wonder about David being on the up and up. As you view this picture you just about find yourself beginning to understand who is the real nutty person and all of a sudden, you begin to change your mind how the film will end. Great acting by Claudette Colbert and Robert Ryan who played an entirely different role than he usually portrays on the screen. I forgot to mention that Mel Ferrer, was married to a great film star, Audrey Hepburn. Great Classic film, with great Classic Actors !

I watched this late film noir last winter when it was on TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES. It is one of those "Gaslight" clones, where the villain seeks to drive the heroine insane for personal reasons. Usually, in GASLIGHT or SLEEP MY LOVE, the reason is that the heroine's husband seeks to get rid of his spouse, either for money or for another woman. Here the villain is not Robert Ryan (big surprise that!) but another man who has a grudge against the family of Claudette Colbert for an error in the past. I refrain from mentioning it, as it would spoil the film. Needless to say Ryan saves Colbert, and the villain (responsible for three deaths due to his plotting) meets an unexpectedly violent and scary end. The film is not a classic one, but it is worth watching, especially as Ryan is the hero here.