I really didn’t know too much about Paul
Guilfoyle’s 1955 film, A Life at Stake, although I have always had a fondness
for stark film noir. Spoiled young Doris Hillman (played by the delightful
Angela Lansbury) invites struggling architect Edward Shaw (Keith Andes) to come
in as her husband's partner in a lucrative real estate deal. However, when
Edward becomes romantically involved with Doris, he learns that something deadly
is going on. There's a life at stake, and it could be his own.
As we progress deeper into the story
immediate parallels begin to emerge such as Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity
(1944). However, it’s evident that A Life at Stake wasn’t afforded the same
budgetary benefits as Wilder’s classic movie. That said, A Life at Stake is a
brilliant slice of entertainment which is more than capable of standing on its
own two feet. Lansbury really shines and makes for a wonderfully devious femme
fatale - who would have thought it? In fact, there is nothing wrong with the
cast at all. A handsome Keith Andes (who seems to be shot with his shirt off at
any given opportunity) appears confident and fully in control in front of the
camera, while Claudia Barrett provides a nice supporting role as Madge, the
younger sister of Doris. The look is also rather impressive thanks to the
cinematography of Ted Allan and Les Baxter provides a score which often punches
well above its weight. A Life at Stake is a genuine lost gem, a rediscovered
treasure from the tail end of the film noir period which deserves to be seen.
Produced by The Filmakers, an independent
film company formed with Ida Lupino (vice-president) in 1948, the company only
made twelve feature films, six of which Lupino directed or co-directed, but
were all received positively. A small featurette is also provided which
presents an interesting look into the company.
I
must also mention a superb commentary track by professor and film scholar Jason
A. Ney, which I have to say is quite excellent, it’s both specific and highly
informative throughout. The Film Detective has provided a truly beautiful
presentation of the main feature, with some nice deep blacks and impressive
contrast. There is a strange instance of some very minor ‘warping’ which
appears in a few brief scenes, a rippling effect of sorts, but it is brief and
doesn’t distract from the overall viewing pleasure. A Life at Stake is a movie
that may have easily slipped through your fingers and previously escaped attention.
Thanks to the efforts of The Film Detective, this is no longer the case and
guarantees that it will be around for a whole new audience to appreciate.