mark.waltz At first, everything seems to be going smoothly in this Film Noir directed by Otto Preminger, that is except for the shoplifting heroine (Gene Tierney) who has more drama than her signature role of "Laura". Tierney is somehow vulnerable to the charms and psychiatric manipulations of the evil Jose Ferrer, an obvious sociopath who tries but fails to become another Waldo Lydecker. As pompous as Clifton Webb was in "Laura", but lacking in his phony charm, Ferrer is a predatory male who pulls Tierney into his web of deceit, sending her into a whirlpool towards her own downfall. But in what should be an opportunity for Ferrer to shout, "Curses! Curses! Somebody always helps that girl!" ends up a fool's pathway to hell as his plot to get away with criminal activity fails miserably and the law and a legitimate psychiatrist (who just happens to be Tierney's husband) aide in its uncovering.There have been outrageous roles where a veteran actress of a certain age gets to chew the scenery before her demise or breakdown, but for Barbara O'Neil, that outrageousness is never developed because the writing for her character is undernourished. Sporting a hair-as-high-as-an-elephant's eye wig, O'Neil also gets a white streak that looks like somebody was obsessed either with "The Bride of Frankenstein" or more likely, Rafaela Ottiano's psychotic sidekick to Lionel Barrymore in "The Devil Doll". She's definitely a bitch waiting to explode as she confronts Tierney with advice about steering clear of Ferrer, an encounter witnessed by the portly Constance Collier who walks in as Tierney screams threats at her.Like I stated, everything starts off O.K., but in the last half hour, it all goes haywire as a totally fantastic, far-from-reality conclusion sets in and reveals all. Everything about this film seems to be a "Laura" rip-off (especially with Preminger at the helm) where the victim turns out to be inconsequential and every step towards the revelation is just cringe-worthy. Richard Conte seems miscast as the psychiatrist husband and at times, Tierney seems to be staring far off into space as if she was simply telling herself, "It's almost over."

JohnWelles "Whirlpool" (1949), directed by Otto Preminger, the man brought us the classic "Laura" (1944), and stars the luminous Gene Tierney, Richard Conte (who would eventually go on to co-star in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" [1972] as Don Emilio Barzini), the wonderfully world-weary and haggard Charles Bickford and the malicious José Ferrer giving his best. The main fault in this otherwise fine film that benefits from a nice score by the famed David Raksin and attractive cinematography by Arthur C. Miller, is an exceptionally silly plot from the usually reliable Ben Hecht (who was forced to use the pseudonym Lester Barstow because of a blacklist) that has Gene Tierney, a secret kleptomaniac married to world-renowned psychologist Richard Conte, being manipulated by the villainous José Ferrer to unwittingly become the chief suspect in a murder. The resolution is daft and somewhat spoils the effect of the whole film. So while it's not one of Otto Preminger's finest movies, it still has a lot to like, especially an impeccable cast.

Michael O'Keefe The famed Otto Preminger produces and directs this melodrama written by Ben Hect and Andrew Solt. A much over looked piece of Film Noir from 20th Century Fox starring the alluring Gene Tierney. Although her husband 'Bill' Sutton(Richard Conte)is a well known psychologist, Ann Sutton(Tierney)is a kleptomaniac, who is trapped into being treated by an unscrupulous hypnotist David Korvo(Jose Ferrer). Korvo is notorious for making his living by taking advantage of unsuspecting women and blackmailing them. Korvo will force Mrs. Sutton's involvement in a failed relationship's payoff and murder. Dirty dealing is going on for sure. And what is a girl to do while under a spell? WHIRLPOOL also features: Charles Bickford, Barbara O'Neal and Constance Collier. With no disrespect to the beautiful Tierney, a great director like Preminger can make a not-so-flamboyant cast look good.

Claudio Carvalho After shoplifting an expensive pin in a department store, the wife of the prominent psychoanalyst Dr. William Sutton (Richard Conte), Ann Sutton (Gene Tierney), is arrested by one of the security guards. The swindler astrologer and hypnotist David Korvo (José Ferrer) recognizes the woman and convinces the manager to release her. Later, David calls Ann and asks her to meet him in his hotel, and he proposes to treat her kleptomania through hypnosis. Ann accepts the offer, but Davis uses Ann to get rid of Theresa Randolph (Barbara O'Neil), a widow that had stolen the heritage of her daughter. When Theresa is found dead, Ann is accused of murder by the skeptical Lt. James Colton (Charles Bickford), but she has no recollections of what happened in that specific night. Meanwhile David has a strong alibi to support his innocence."Whirlpool" has a story very hard to believe. The idea of so powerful suggestion of hypnosis is beyond any credibility, and the famous psychoanalyst is at least incompetent, not detecting the problem with his own wife. José Ferrer is great in the role of a cynical villain, but his last act is so stupid that spoils the Machiavellism of his character. Gene Tierney is awful, with an insane, excessively dramatic and silly behavior even when she is not hypnotized. The character of Tom Conte is unpleasant, with his tough attitudes. The conclusion is really terrible. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "A Ladra" ("The Thief")