Angel Face (1952)

Intro.

It seems as though May has turned into Mitchum Month without me knowing it.  I think it's because my new DVR lets me search listings by Actor/Actress.  As such, I was excited to see Mitchum in another suspense film - Angel Face.  Right from the beginning when he stepped out of an ambulance as a paramedic named Frank, I knew I was in for a great evening!  **Please note, there is no way I can discuss this whole film without giving away the ending, but I will put in a Spoiler Alert before then.**

Overview
As I said, the film starts with paramedic Frank (Mitchum) arriving at the Tremayne home, where the stepmother Catherine (Barbara O'Neill) has had an accidental brush with gas affixiation.  There are suspicions about the cause, but nothing very substantial.  On his way out, Mitchum bumps into the daughter, Diane (Jean Simmons) whom he tries to comfort.  She later follows him and they spend the evening together.  Diane learns that Frank is an ex-race car driver and wants to save up to open his own garage.  The next day Diane gets her stepmother to consider funding Frank's venture, even bringing Frank to the house to meet her formally.   Although Catherine wants to proceed with the garage, Diane tells Frank that she doesn't and plays up the "evil stepmother who never wants people to be happy" card.  Pretty soon Frank winds up falling for Diane and accepts her offer to join the family as their chauffeur.  All goes pretty well as we learn that Diane is 1) a huge Daddy's girl and 2) she's obsessed with convincing Frank that Catherine is trying to kill her.  And then one day we see Diane standing at the edge of the family's driveway and see that the path veers off to a sheer rocky drop.  The next thing you know, Catherine and Diane's father Charles (Herbert Marshall) get into their car and put it in drive.  However, the car instead accelerates very rapidly and zooms backwards, tumbling end over end off the cliff.  Diane, unaware that her father had also been in the car, is inside contently playing the piano.  Just when you think it's over, the film pulls a fast one - both Frank and Diane are arrested and, in a play to get sympathy from the jury, their lawyers have them get married.  Then, they face their trial....

***SPOILER ALERT***
It works too, as they are tried and found not guilty.  Frank, angry and disgusted as he knows Diane is guilty, leaves her after the trial to try and get back together with his ex-girlfriend.  The ex of course, turns him down, and Frank returns to a distraught and emotionally wrecked Diane.  He stupidly says he is leaving her and going to Mexico.  She pleads with him to stay and asks to make her case while she drives him to the airport.  He STUPIDLY gets into the car with her and what happens?  She is determined not to lose the only person she has left in her life, so she throws the car into reverse and drives it off the cliff as well, killing them both.        

Highlights

I think what is most remarkable about this film is that you don't really know how or when Diane will attack.  I thought Frank had indeed talked her out of killing her stepmother, then only a few minutes later the car goes off the cliff!  I had just gotten comfortable with a good old slow paced suspense film and then bam! double homicide!  It's shocking for both the audience and for Diane, who collapses when she discovers her father was also a victim.  Just the same, you don't really expect the ending - that is until you see Diane at the wheel.  These parts make up for some of the longer, more drawn out scenes and make for an interesting ride.

Robert Mitchum is very good in this role, although his character's seeming blindness to Diane's plans was pretty aggravating.  In retrospect, I think that it would have been too easy for him to see what was coming, as his character is not the street-wise private eye we're used to seeing.  He's the chump in many ways and no amount of screaming from the audience (believe me, I tried) will save him.  It's a different role than usual, but he plays the part with his usual charm and good looks. 

Review
Overall, despite some slow parts, I think this is a fine example of the old Hollywood suspense film.  Heavy on drama and suspicion, it brings together many good elements and fine acting talent to make it into a thoroughly enjoyable film.  I'm sorry if I've spoiled the film for some of you, and for those of you strong enough to skip the spoiler, go enjoy the surprise!