THE WEB
US, 1947, 89 minutes, Black and white.
Edmond O'Brien, Vincent Price, Ella Raines, William Bendix.
Directed by Michael Gordon.
The Web is a neat thriller from Universal Studios of the late '40s. It has an interesting plot, well judged dialogue and situations, well-played characters. While it is probably a B film, nevertheless it retains interest and shows the quality of the direct narratives of the '40s (even though they may seem outdated in style now).
Edmond O'Brien is a credible hero. Vincent Price is an excellent villain. The film was directed by Michael Gordon, better known for Cyrano de Bergerac and Pillow Talk.
1.Enjoyable thriller? Character study? Murder mystery?
2.Black and white photography, style of the '40s, musical score? The cast?
3.The title, the focus on Regan, on Colby, the web and the entanglements?
4.The focus on Regan, as a lawyer, brash, intruding into the office, confronting Colby, attraction towards Noel? Colby's invitation? Bodyguard, accepting the money? Friendship with Noel, talking with her, dates? The confrontation and the shooting? Damico and his friendship with Regan's father? Suspicions about the killing? The entanglements of the plot? The daughter of the victim and her confrontation, suspicions? His discussions with Noel, confrontations with Colby? Investigating the case, the interview with the newspaper reporter? The confrontation with Colby, the pretence about the counterfeiter? Following Noel, arrested? The plan, the vindication? A new beginning?
5.Colby, suave, smooth-mannered? Conducting of meetings, welcoming of Regan, the debt? Relationship with Noel? The invitation to Regan, the struggle with the gun? The aftermath, his suspicions? His behaviour with Charles, with Regan's suspicions? The frame-up with the phone call, Noel and the money, the tickets for Mexico? Shooting Charles after reassuring him? The phone call to the police, the interrogation? The pretence about Charles's death? His being caught? His worship of money, manipulations, schemes and betrayals? Corporate villain?
6.Noel, devotion to Colby, admiration? Attraction to Regan? Out with him, getting information from him, his getting information from her? The puzzle about the phone call? Her disappointment? The money, the railway station, the arrest? Realisation of the truth?
7.Damico, work as a detective, low-key, mistrusting Regan, tailing him, the interrogation of Colby, the irony of his knowing the truth, the set-up and the arrest? His having the final word about the tickets to Mexico?
8.The murder victim, his coming from prison, his daughter? The counterfeit plan? The frame-up and his death? His daughter's grief and anger? The counterfeiter and his death? Charles and his advice, betrayed?
9.Film noir of the '40s? The detective story? Murder mystery? The frame-up? The world of big business?
