"Nocturne", directed Edwin L Marin

Movie, 1946

Moody whodunnit-cum-thriller, which feels a little restrained in terms of its settings and action, but which nonetheless puts over some good ideas and looks great in places. While the action and the film swiftly slip into formulae, the central character just about keeps the interest, despite George Raft not being 100% convincing in the role. Some good expressionistic lighting, noir atmospherics and pretty entertaining overall, though never really hitting the absolute pinnacles of similar films of the time and genre.

"Crack-Up", directed by Irving Reis

Movie, 1946

Largely effective B-movie mystery concerning efforts to discredit and silence an outspoken art critic at a New York Museum. While not a hugely promising premise and despite an odd take on the merits of modern art, some very occasional slack pacing and questionable plot switches, this is an atmospheric film which delivers most of the time. The mystery element is a little lame, but the noir photography and set pieces make for some tension along the way. Far from a classic, but as a diversion on a wet afternoon, viewers could do a lot worse than this. 

"Shock", directed by Alfred Werker

Movie, 1946

Effective if modest film about a woman who enters a state of shock after witnessing a murder committed by the doctor who's then entrusted with treating her. While this is a film easily classifiable as a 'B movie' which contains no real surprise and some rather wooden acting and stereotypes, the story is well delivered and Vincent Price subtly and suitably unhinged. All in all, an entertaining film noir-cum-psychological horror, which maintains and builds a tension throughout.

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