"Mildred Pierce", directed by Michael Curtiz

Movie, 1945

Story of the eponymous, hard working heroine, a murder and how Pierce, her family, associates and the murder victim all come to find themselves embroiled with each other. If this film starts a little slowly, it really builds its characters and picks up pace and intensity on the way. Pierce is a wonderful character the audience can't help but get behind and root for, while events around her throw up barriers she's adept at overcoming. The determination, and Pierce's flaws and frailties give the film its dynamic and deliver a really effective, beautifully shot twist on the noir genre.

Poster: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12252720

"Wonder Man", directed by H. Bruce Humberstone

Movie, 1945

Dark ingenious plot providing an early vehicle for Danny Kaye to squeak, pop, clicks and ga-humb-urdle his way through a pile of song and dance routines in addition to daft action situations. There's a lack of subtle sophistication and the Musical Theatre grates at times but still, this is top drawer entertainment. Even some of the singing works, most notably the opera singer who's beaten by his allergy to flowers. Terrific fun and sustained energy throughout; well worth a look unless Danny Kaye's really not your thing.

"Holy Disorders", by Edmund Crispin

Novel, 1945

Engaging, subversive and occasionally very witty detective romp, focusing on the goings on in a small cathedral city in Devon, which can't seem to retain a share of extant organists. A book whose laconic approach, whimsical-cum-sinister settings and continuing warnings against witchcraft and Nazism place it very much 'of its time' and snug within its genre, although the writing sparkles and the plot's dastardly invention foreshadows 1960s tongue-in-cheek fantasy. An immensely enjoyable read.