So Evil My Love - a different list of movies for Valentine’s
So for Valentine’s how about a movie list featuring films where the loved one may or may not be evil, or loving them might lead to disaster.
It’s not really a list for Valentine’s though. It’s for those days when skies are grey, you think you might be getting the flu or something. These types of movies work on me like a storm raging outside when I’m inside, feeling nice and cozy with something warm to drink.
Maybe not the perfect list for Valentine’s. But perfect for a duvet day on a cold and damp day in February.
The Blue Angel (1930)
Drama/Tragedy
I have to admit this isn’t a comfortable watch – but it is very good.
What’s it about? Der Blaue Engel (1930) follows a prim, proper and uptight English teacher who becomes infatuated with a cabaret singer, Lola Lola. He loses his head, heart and pretty much everything. The film explores themes of desire, degradation, and the tragic consequences of lost dignity.
Night Must Fall (1937)
Murder Mystery / Psychological Drama
The “psychology” in this is a bit hysterical at times and the ending could be better but there is something oddly likeable about this one. And Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell are great as always.
What’s it about? Robert Montgomery plays Danny, a roguish Irish charmer who inveigles his way into the household of a cantankerous well-off elderly woman in a sleepy English country village. Her niece and paid companion, played by Rosalind Russell, is wary of Danny. Is it because he’s mixed up in the disappearance of a woman from the village or is it because she is scared of her feelings for him?
Suspicion (1941)
Thriller
This is one of my favourite Cary Grant films. The role seems made for him.
What’s it about? A shy young heiress falls for a charming spendthrift gentleman. They quickly marry and only then do they discover that she does not have the sort of wealth he expected. And he does not have the morals that she would have expected. He doesn’t seem to see anything wrong with taking other people’s money and lying about where he got it from. He is so loveable that she can easily forgive this. But is he capable of much worse?
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Thriller
Like the last one this is also a Hitchcock thriller. Here the suspicious loved one isn’t a love interest but rather an uncle.
What’s it about? A teenage girl is having a rather dull time. Uncle Charlie pays the family a visit. He leads a more exciting life and is like a breath of fresh air. But it’s been a while since they’ve seen him and to his niece he seems a little different. Is she just bored and making mountains out of molehills or are her suspicions justified? And who’d believe it? And how could she betray her uncle?
Double Indemnity (1944)
Film Noir
Classic film noir directed by Billy Wilder. The chemistry between Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck is great.
What’s it about? Fred MacMurray plays an insurance salesman who wanders into the house of a dissatisfied wife, played by Barbara Stanwyck. She is married to a wealthy man who is careful with his money. A little too careful for her liking. MacMurray’s salesman knows all the angles needed to pull off an insurance fraud. Stanwyck’s character knows all the stories to tell to convince him that her husband deserves to die. It could be the perfect crime. The only problem is MacMurray’s boss and good friend, played by Edward G. Robinson, who can spot a con a mile off.
Gaslight (1944)
Psychological Thriller
I love this film. And I do highly recommend it. But there is an earlier screen adaptation of this play which is actually better. Watch them both, if you can.
What’s it about? A famous singer is murdered. Her young niece, who lived with her, is taken abroad. Years later the niece, grown-up (and played by Ingrid Bergman), falls in love and her new husband (played by Charles Boyer) wants them to move back to her aunt’s house in London, which she now owns. It is a beautiful house in a good location and she doesn’t have any sensible objection to moving back so she agrees. Once there her husband’s manner changes. He chastises for misplacing things and scolds her for imagining things. She isn’t misplacing things or imagining things. He’s deliberately gaslighting her. Why?
By the way, the earlier version is in the public domain, so here you go -
The Suspect (1944)
Film Noir / Thriller / Romance
A man kills his wife. And you may be hoping he gets away with it. But would getting away with it destroy him as much as getting caught?
What’s it about? At the start of 20th century Philip Marshall, played by Charles Laughton, is a mild mannered man trapped in a dull job and a loveless marriage to a cold, nagging wife. One evening he meets a young woman, played by Ella Raines, who is unemployed and in need of help. He buys her dinner. They begin a platonic relationship. She brightens and lightens his dull life. His wife finds out and demands that Philip give up his new friend. In a flash of temper he strikes out at his wife and kills her. However people accept his explanation that it was accident, that she fell. In time he marries his new young friend. Everything seems to be going well. But then it’s never that easy…
Scarlet Street (1945)
Film Noir / Thriller
Fritz Lang directs. Edward G Robinson plays the innocent nice guy. Joan Bennett plays the femme fatale. And Dan Duryea plays the mean Dan Duryea character.
What’s it about? Christopher Cross is a middle-aged man of modest means. He is liked and trusted by his employer. His wife is selfish and nagging. He paints as a hobby and has a very unique style. One night he saves a woman from being mugged. Or at least he thinks he does. The woman and her boyfriend end up mugging him’
Lured (1943)
Murder Mystery / Thriller / Comedy / Romance
I love this. It’s a great mix of mystery, suspense and just enough comedy keep things nice and light. Lucille Ball stars in this star studded movie directed by Douglas Sirk.
What’s it about? A serial killer is stalking the personal ads of a London paper. He uses cryptic poems to inform the police of his next victim. One of his victims was a taxi dancer. Her American colleague and friend, played by Lucille Ball, goes to Scotland Yard to try and help with their investigation. She ends up being hired as an uncover detective to respond to ads and place her in the way of possible suspects. Problem is one of her suspects is very charming and she starts to fall for him. Is he the murderer?
Brighton Rock (1947)
Film Noir / Crime-Drama
This movie has a very menacing atmosphere. The ending is also tragic. And it’s a cushioned sort of tragedy, which makes it sadder - and fit this list. Although this is really a crime drama first and foremost.
What’s it about? Pinkie, played by Richard Attenborough, is a vicious young man who becomes boss of a small-time local criminal gang. He murders a reporter who was indirectly responsible for the murder of his old boss. The police believe it’s a suicide. The only one who can prove the man was murdered is a naive young woman who Pinkie marries to keep quiet. However, another woman, who spent time with the reporter prior to his death, won’t accept that it’s suicide. And Pinkie’s gang aren’t as under his control as he’d like. Things escalate. All the while, Pinkie’s innocent young wife believes in him and their love.
Nightmare Alley (1947)
Film Noir
I came across this online a few years back. Knew nothing about it. I found this unusual and surprising. It’s nicely done. Sometimes things are better the less you know about them before watching. But I will say if I was going to pair this with another film on the list it would be The Blue Angel. Each very different - but still they go together well enough.
What’s it about? Oh, I don’t want to tell you too much. Stanton Carlisle, played by Tyrone Power, joins a travelling circus. He learns the secrets to working as a mentalist. And he really excels at it.
So Evil My Love (1948)
Gothic Noir
This movie claims to based on a true story. But it’s more inspired by some of the circumstances surrounding the death of Charles Bravo, rather than an accurate depiction of historical events.
What’s it about? Set in Victorian London, Ann Todd plays Olivia Harwood, the widow of a missionary who died on their way back from Jamaica. On that journey she also meets and cares for Mark Bellis, played by Ray Milland, a con-artist, thief and painter. He needs new lodgings that the authorities are not aware of and decides to take rooms with the respectable widow. Olivia who has led a rather repressed life ends up falling for the rogue. And perhaps he falls for her too?
Obsession (aka THE HIDDEN ROOM) (1949)
Thriller / Psychological Drama
This is very enjoyable. A British crime thriller with an intelligent (and somewhat sympathetic) villian, played by Robert Newton, and an intelligent and very sympathetic victim, played by Phil Brown. And the wife, played by Sally Gray, may be the least sympathetic character. There is a lovely dog though.
What’s it about? A husband finds out his wife is having an affair. He decides to make his wife’s lover pay for their affair. Not with money. His plan is as meticulous as it is deadly. All anyone knows is that the wife’s lover has disappeared. Time is running out and the only thing that will save the wife’s lover is a missing dog and an inspector from Scotland Yard who doesn’t seem like he’s aware of much…
Five Fingers (1952)
This is great. A story about a very likeable spy - and he’s spying for the bad guys. Don’t prejudge, just watch. And this really is based on a true story. Elyesa Bazna, a real valet‑turned‑spy codenamed Cicero, sold British secrets to Nazi Germany in 1943–44. I’m not at all sure the real spy was as likeable as the James Mason character. But this is a great film.
What’s it about? James Mason plays the ambitious valet of the UK ambassador to Turkey during WWII. He has dreams that require money – much more than a valet’s wages allow. But he has access to top secret documents and there is a war going on.
He doesn’t actually like or really help the Nazis. Give it a watch.
Les Diaboliques (1955)
Psychological Thriller / Suspense
This is a twisty one. It’s directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, who also directed Le Corbeau. This is less twisty than that movie but more suspenseful.
What’s it about? The fragile wife, played by Véra Clouzot, of a cruel boarding school headmaster, played by Paul Meurisse, conspires with his mistress, played by Simone Signoret, to rid themselves of him, but their plan soon takes a disturbing turn. Did he somehow survive? Are they going insane?
Footsteps in the Fog (1955)
Film Noir Melodrama
I love this movie. I have since I was child. Maybe it’s because the villians in it are almost like Disney villians. They thoroughly enjoy and revel in their villiany. To a point at least.
What’s it about? Stewart Granger plays the grieving widower. His late, older, wealthier wife endured a long illness before succumbing finally to a peaceful death. Or did she? Jean Simmons plays the scullery maid who discovers things are not as innocent as they seem. And she uses this knowledge to get the sort of life she’s always desired. Unfortunately what she desires most is the murderous widower.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Courtroom Drama / Thriller / Murder-Mystery
Another classic. A Billy Wilder adaptation of an Agatha Christie play. It stars Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich and Tyrone Power.
What’s it about? Leonard Vole, played by Tyrone Power, is arrested on suspicion of murdering an older woman who is financing some business venture of his. He employs an experienced barrister recently weakened by a heart attack, played by Charles Laughton, as his defense attorney. Marlene Dietrich plays Vole’s wife who is a little hard to decipher and is to be a witness, not for the defense, but for the prosecution.
THE NAKED EDGE (1961)
Film Noir / Murder-Mystery / Thriller
This is Gary Cooper’s last film. And it’s great.
What’s it about? There was a robbery at a business where George Radcliffe (Gary Cooper) worked. That night he was working late and so were two other employees. One of his colleagues was killed during the robbery and he identifies the other employee as the thief. The thief, played by Ray McAnally, vehemently protests his innocence. The stolen money is never recovered. Radcliffe leaves that company shortly after to start his own venture, having made a killing in the stock market. His wife, played by Deborah Kerr, is suspicious but lets go of these thoughts until 5 years later when a blackmail letter sent to her husband about the robbery resurfaces. Is she married to a murderer? Is she herself in danger?
LE 7ème JURE (THE 7TH JUROR) (1962)
Psychological Drama
Here’s it’s the love of maintaining the status quo that is so evil. It’s really well done. This movie is unsettling and thought provoking. And if you enjoy courtroom dramas you will appreciate that part of this film. If you can find this online, it’s well worth a watch.
What’s it about? A respectable pharmacist, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, murders a woman. She was carefree and laughed all the time. Too pretty and too easy for the town’s liking. So too was her boyfriend. They didn’t fit into the order of things. The pharmacist is never suspected. The boyfriend is charged with the murder. And the killer is assigned as a juror to the case. But rather than compound the guilt of his crime by ensuring the boyfriend is found guilty, the juror is determined that the young man be acquitted.
Warning: This movie contains scenes of sexual violence and murder.
Wait Until Dark (1967)
Suspenseful Thriller
This doesn’t really fit into the theme exactly but I love this and when I’m in the mood for so-evil-my-love films this one also always springs to mind. Also, I find the husband in this a bit hard to take.
What’s it about? Three criminals, played by Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna and Jack Weston, are trying to find a heroin stuffed doll. A man innocently accepted it from a woman at the airport. He is married to a recently blinded woman, played by Audrey Hepburn, who is still learning to manage her way around her home. The criminals infiltrate her apartment and spin her tales to excuse their searching her apartment. Will she be able to see through their game?
