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Product Description:
A nasty love triangle among New York City s upper class leads to murder in this suspenseful drama. Knockout Ava Gardner (SHOWBOAT MOGAMBO) plays Isabel Warrison a waitress whose returns to New York City immediately shakes up Jessie Bourne (Barbara Stanwyck) because Jessie knows her husband Brandon (James Mason) has had an affair with Isabel. Then Jessie discoves that she might have an old flame of her own when Mark Dwyer (Van Heflin) returns home as a war hero and Brandon fails to accompany her to Dwyer s welcome-back party. Even so Jessie is green with envy and rage when Brandon fails to come home that night. Warrison is pressing Brandon to marry her but all this soap turns into a whodunit when Warrison is abruptly murdered. Director Mervyn LeRoy handles the transition with dexterity making the sudden genre switcheroo part of the film s charm.System Requirements:Running Time: 108 mins. Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 012569797765 Manufacturer No: 79776

Rating : - "I'll call him and he'll come running"
Jessie (Barbara Stanwyck) is the wife of Brandon Bourne (James Mason). Brandon had an affair with Isabel Lorrison (Ava Gardner) in the past, but she went to Europe and Jessie and Brandon reconciled. Jessie loves Brandon terribly, but when she hears that Isabel is back in town, she's afraid. Her fears are confirmed as Brandon and Isabel continue their relationship. Meanwhile, Mark Dwyer (Van Heflin), an agent for the government, falls in love with Jessie. Jessie likes Mark but only wants to be friends with him because she loves her husband, even though he cheats on her. One day, Isabel calls Jessie and tells her to come to her apartment. Jessie comes and they get into an argument. Jessie leaves with Mark and two hours later, Brandon goes to Isabel's apartment, finding her dead. Who killed her?

This typical melodrama is saved by its all-star cast and good performances from all stars, but Stanwyck and Gardner give the best performances by far. Gardner is excellent as the self-proclaimed "cheap" harlot who knows how to make a man want her and keep on wanting her and Stanwyck shines in her wronged-wife character. Incidentally, Gardner and Robert Taylor, Stanwyck's husband at the time, had just had an affair during the filming of "The Bribe". I detect a hint of art imitates life here, especially in the scene where Isabel and Jessie have their little talk in Isabel's apartment, perhaps the most powerful scene in the film.

Fans of Stanwyck or Gardner should like this movie, even though it's not the best of the former nor the latter. But it's rather enjoyable, somewhat predictable, and overall good.