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Lady in the Lake (1946)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
10/08, 2/24
10/08:
If there's one thing that's unusual about Lady in the Lake, the whole film was shot from the first-person perspective,
a cinema's first.
Unrealistically showing too much expression, Audrey Totter, who plays the sexy Adrienne Fromsett, steals the show but is
hampered by what she has to work with. She's drop-dead gorgeous, cunning, and alluring. Why...her character can be the killer
after all.
Then, there's the 20-year-old Lila Leeds who looks hotter than Audrey Totter. That's why Phillip Marlowe almost twisted his neck
while eyeing her until reaching the back of his head. Sadly, her acting career started to fall apart when she was busted with
Robert Mitchum for possession of marijuana and served time. If you look at the famous photo showing him in court, that's Leeds
on the left. During her stint in jail, she was introduced to heroin and developed an addiction. She became destitute and worked
as a faith healer during the 70's.
Anyway, the plot is very convoluted, and I couldn't wrap my head around it. Despite the film's promise of me being involved
in solving the murder case, I've never felt that way. One thing I would've done at the outset is to ask for a picture of
Chrystal Kingsby and, if possible, a picture of Mildred Havelend, Muriel Chess, or whoever the hell she's supposed to be. It'll
clear up the matter because when Marlowe entered Chris Lavery's house, a Sandy Dennis look-a-like female came out and acted
peculiarly. At the same time, I found it impossible that she overlooked the body in the shower which obviously meant she was
connected, only to reveal later to have done it.
All in all, Lady in the Lake is well known for being shot in the first-person perspective, but it's a badly
executed film.
10/08:
Lady in the Lake is better this time, but wow, the plot is convoluted as ever.
Okay, let's try to unravel the mystery. I believe Mildred Havelend and Muriel Chess are one and the same. First, Mildred killed
Florence Almore, the wife of a doctor whom she was working for, so she could marry him. Somehow, Lieutenant DeGarmot
found out about it but fell in love with her. As a deal, he would fix it by making the murder look like suicide and sushed
the Graysons, Florence's parents. In turn, Mildred had to disappear.
Wanting to get away from DeGarmot, Mildred decided to marry Bill Chess and therefore assumed the name of Muriel Chess. Somewhere
along the way, she fell in love with Chris Lavery, and so did Chrystal Kingsby. They fought over him, and as a result, Chrystal
Kingsby was killed and was therefore the "lady in the lake." Chris Lavery knew about it. That's why he had a slip of the tongue
and thus corrected himself by saying "is" for "was" when Phillip Marlowe had a conversation with him at his house.
Thereafter, Muriel Chess disappeared with Chris Lavery to El Paso, Texas, which led to Bill Chess being charged with his wife's
murder since her "corpse" was found in the lake. Because of Phillip Marlowe going there to find out what happened, he
inadvertently tipped off the true identity of Muriel Chess to DeGarmot who was still looking for her.
For some reason, which could be that love had gone sour, Muriel Chess killed Chris Lavery to tie up a loose end while setting
up Adrienne Fromsett for the murder. Then, she pretended to be Mrs. Fallbrook when she was surprised by Phillip Marlowe while
going downstairs. What's strange here is that he never heard gunshots when walking to the house. Once Mildred's original plan didn't work
(Marlowe took the gun and the handkerchief which were intentionally planted), DeGarmot tried to find a way to pin the murder
on Phillip Marlowe. It's possible this was when he, after falling for Mildred for the second time, was doing another favor
for her. At the end, DeGarmot, who finally had enough of the trickeries, decided to kill her and tried to set up Marlowe to
take the fall but failed.
While this was going on, Adrienne Fromsett's only motive was to prove Derace Kingsby's wife was dead, so she could marry him
and inherit his money. After the plan failed, she got mad but decided to turn her interest toward Phillip Marlowe. Why he
would accept this arrangement after what happened is a very good question. Anyway, I have to laugh at the "trail of rice."
Like it'll be clearly visible...not.
The biggest mistake Robert Montgomery made is not taking me to the lake. I thought I was given the chance to solve the mystery
alongside him. Instead, he withheld some information from me. Gee, thanks for nothing. The first thing I would've asked from
the outset is pictures of Chrystal Kingsby and Muriel Chess.
At least, Audrey Totter saves the film from getting worse. I prefer not to see Robert Montgomery because he's no Phillip
Marlowe. The way he talks, eek...it's hard to believe that Adrienne Fromsett was still interested in him. The first-person
perspective works, but it should've been used 100% of the time.
All in all, Lady in the Lake is a good try but has several mistakes here and there.