Another Man's Poison

Interesting dark dynamic because it's husband and wife team of Gary Merrill & Bette Davis working together for the first time on screen. And they went over to the UK to do this little psycho plot. It's very confined with few central characters, with suspicions clear and direct, almost as if it was a stage play with a more cinematic approach. Shot almost too claustrophobic for full effect. At least it leaves the key characters a lot of room to shine on their own, even if they get on your nerve.

At the time, Bette Davis told reporters, "I've always wanted to play in a suspense picture as they're made in England, with that quiet effectiveness which the British singularly seem to possess." That sure isn't what we got! Still, rather fun, and her role showcases everything Davis did better than anyone else. One critic wrote, "No one has ever accused Bette Davis of failing to rise to a good script; what this film shows is how far she can go to meet a bad one."

Entertaining thriller with an over the top performance by Bette Davis and a satisfying ending.

A British production starring Bette Davis. Good crime thriller with a satisfying ending.

I love the kinds of characters Bette plays...

There seem to be two types of Bette Davis roles, the lovelorn woman and the cold, calculating, conniving, cunning woman. I'm ok with her as the former, but I much prefer her as the latter, and this is a pretty fine example. A wonderful performance in a wonderfully crafted murder mystery with a great finale. couldn't ask for more.

Excellent.

Disposable drama is marked by typically fun, gloriously over-the-top bitchy work from Davis, but the screenplay (seemingly looking forward to Shaffer's SLEUTH) is convoluted and confusing, and seems to unreasonably confound the audiences expectations (and credulity) to set up a series of cheap 'aha' moments.

Fairly typical Bette Davis drama with an entertaining ending.