Woman in the Dark (1934)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

People are voting emotionally.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

"Woman In The Dark" holds a certain curiosity value: a bunch of big-name actors appear in an obviously penny-pinching production. Fay Wray is soooooooo gorgeous - you can't take your eyes off her, and you don't want to, either. She and the other actors certainly invest more into this film than the producers did. ** out of 4.

Routine 30's programmer with nothing particularly to recommend. John's (Bellamy) paroled from prison because he killed a man in a fight. To stay out of trouble, he retreats to a cabin in the boondocks. But there he meets Louise (Wray) who's also in trouble. Then when his ex-rival Robson (Douglas) shows up, things really go haywire, especially when John slugs a confederate of Robson's. So, can John clear himself with the cops now that his parole's in jeopardy, and maybe warm up to the plaintive Louise.Actor Bellamy's usually derided for being dull. Here, however, he shows some charisma as a leading man. But why it takes his character so long to clinch with the luscious Wray remains a cosmic mystery, especially when she walks in the door in a clinging satin gown. Oh well, it's the movies, and certainly King Kong knew better. The story idea comes from ace crime novelist Dashiell Hammett, but appears to suffer from erratic adaptation. For example, having movie sidekick Roscoe Ates clowning around undercuts any serious intent, and almost certainly didn't come from Hammett's novel. Nonetheless, fans of Wray should tune in thanks to her many glowing close-ups. Otherwise, the 60-minutes is pedestrian at best.

Out on parole, John Bradley (Ralph Bellamy) has no intention of returning to prison. His first night home, he is visited by Helen Grant (Nell O'Day) whose father is the sheriff. It was over Lil that John got into a brawl that ended in a man's death. John is encouraging her to leave when a woman, Louise Loring (Fay Wray) dressed in a white gown arrives at his house. She's hurt her ankle trying to get to the train station - and away from Tony Robson (Melvyn Douglas). Louise thought that Robson lent her money for her singing career - but it was an investment and he wants a return that isn't monetary.Robson is there with a drunk friend (Reed Brown Jr.) who kills the dog that accompanied him (setting my teeth on edge), goes after Louise, is hit by John, and sustains a concussion, though John thinks he's dead. Tony informs the sheriff, and John and Louise go on the run to his cellmate Logan's (Roscoe Ates) place. It goes from there, with the police showing up yet again.This is an okay movie, with the comedy coming from the visit at the Logan's -- he's an ex-jewel robber who is dying to get his hands on the jewels Robson gave Louise. Bellamy's career in films spanned 59 years, and his stage career spanned thirty. Here he's 30 years old, playing a somewhat laconic role, though flirtatious with Louise - his sonorous voice making him instantly recognizable.Fay Wray was supremely beautiful and does a good job as Louise - though why anyone would walk in total darkness through what looked like woods to get to a train station is beyond me. I've seen too much true crime, I guess.There was nothing special about this film, it was just nice to see the beautiful Wray and handsome Bellamy as a young man.

Ralph Bellamy is a man with a temper. After having gotten into a scuffle and accidentally killing a man he's sent to prison for manslaughter, he released. Moving back home he resigns himself to living a life away from people. Unfortunately the local sheriff doesn't like him, more so because his daughter is in love with him. One night while he is attempting to get the sheriff's daughter to leave there is a knock at the door. Its Fay Wray, she's on her way to the train station and in flight from Melvyn Douglas a no good cad with dark designs on everyone and everything. Douglas eventually frames Bellamy for the beating of one of his henchmen and it looks like Bellamy will be going back to prison, this time for murder. Okay drama with a very good cast is hurt by a very talky and very static style. People sit around and talk way too much with the result that you want to shout at the TV get on with it. In all honesty I hit the fast forward a couple of times because I really wished they'd talk less and do more. I suspect my lack of patience was more owing to the lateness of the hour rather than anything else, since the cast is good and manages to sell the nonsense on screen.