Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Even though Edward G. Robinson is best remembered for his tough-guy movie roles, he was one of Hollywood's most versatile and talented actors. He starred in roles playing everything from a cruel sea captain in The Sea Wolf, insurance investigator in Double Indemnity to a Nazi-hunting government in Confessions of a Nazi Spy. Most of his roles, no matter how different, displayed strong male figures. However, one of his most brilliant performances was playing a meek henpecked husband in what is recognized as possibly the best example of early film noir. This movie is 1945's Scarlet Street.

In this film, Robinson plays Christopher Cross, a dull little man in a boring job who is also a talented amateur painter. His extremely domineering wife joys in making his life as miserable as possible, constantly belittling not only the time he spends painting but also demeaning him as a human being. All this he suffers with pitiable resignation. The lonely and pathetic character Robinson plays is a complete departure from most of his other roles but he plays it with brilliance. Every movement of his body and facial expression reflect his sad and hopeless situation and his total subservience to his wife. There are several scenes where Robinson is seen doing housework, while wearing a woman's apron.

True to the film noir genre, a femme fatale enters Chris' life when he comes upon a very attractive young woman being accosted by a man on the street. Chris rescues the woman, Kitty, played by Joan Bennett. He immediately becomes deeply infatuated with her. Recognizing this, the young woman sees an opportunity to taking advantage of Chris. Almost immediately, the deceptions begin. The young woman leads Chris to believe that she is a young actress. He begins a deception as well, telling her that he is a successful artist. What Chris does not know is that the man he has rescued the woman from is her slimy con-man lover Johnny, played by Dan Duryea. Kitty and Johnny plot to use Chris in any way they can. Later, they even begin to sell Chris' paintings without his knowledge, claiming that Kitty is the artist.

Kitty and Chris begin an affair in which Kitty accepts and later demands more and more money. To hold onto Kitty, Chris even stoops to embezzling from his employer. For a while the whole deception works, until his crime is discovered and he is discharged from his job. Here the tale starts to unravel and the pace of the movie quickens.

At this point, Chris makes a pivotal decision which leads him to the discovery of Kitty's duplicity. What follows is a series of suspenseful plot twists and a surprise ending. And, although Chris does not suffer the same fates as Kitty and Johnny, he does pay a high price for his deeds.

Directed by Fritz Lang, Scarlet Street is a very powerful movie, taking full advantage of film noir camera angles and dark lighting to accentuate the dramatic effect of the movie. This movie is a must-see for classic film lovers. For those who need more incentive, it is worth renting this movie if only to see Edward G. Robinson wearing a frilly apron!



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS