So Evil My Love

Unrated

8/6/19481h 49m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Romantic obsession… A woman destroyed! ~

Overview:

In the late 19th century, on board a ship sailing from Jamaica to England, Olivia Harwood, a recent widow, takes on the task of caring for several malaria patients, including Mark Bellis, a mysterious and tormented painter.

Director:

Lewis Allen

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

london, england
husband wife relationship
based on novel or book
female friendship
victorian england
unlikely lovers
paid companion

Cast

Ray Milland

~ as ~

Mark Bellis

Ann Todd

~ as ~

Olivia Harwood

Geraldine Fitzgerald

~ as ~

Susan Courtney

Leo G. Carroll

~ as ~

Jarvis

Raymond Huntley

~ as ~

Henry Courtney

Martita Hunt

~ as ~

Mrs. Courtney (SR)

Moira Lister

~ as ~

Kitty Feathers

Raymond Lovell

~ as ~

Edgar

Roderick Lovell

~ as ~

Sir John Curle

Muriel Aked

~ as ~

Miss Shoebridge

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

John Chard
Written 10 year(s) ago
7
Locket Love!

So Evil My Love (AKA: For Her to See/The Obsessed) is directed by Lewis Allen and adapted to screenplay by Ronald Millar & Leonard Spigelgass from the novel written by Joseph Shearing (AKA: Marjorie Bowen). It stars Ray Milland, Ann Todd, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Leo Carroll. Music is scored by William Alwyn & Victor Young and cinematography by Max Green.

"This is a true story...one of the strangest chapters in the annals of crime. Its characters lived more than fifty years ago...the leading figures in a passionate game of love and murder. It began on a sailing vessel homeward bound from the West Indies for Liverpool...."

Lewis Allen's movie falls into that category of films tagged as Gaslight Noir – Period Noir. Marjorie Bowen's literary works were always ripe for such noirish period pickings, given that many of them feature dark doings, bad people, idiotic people and just plain misery, and this filmic adaptation is no different in that respect; gloriously so for the film noir faithful.

While not in the same league as the two Gaslight movies, So Evil My Love pulses throughout with tainted blood. The period flavours are lovely, the lead cast members at home in their settings, yet you will have to search far and wide for someone you can respect. Heading up the cast is Milland, who around this time was thoroughly enjoying himself playing troubled or bad boy roles, and here, as he drags all around him through the mud, he's having a grand old time of it.

Unfortunately the long running time proves a bit much for director Allen, who sinks into deep melodrama for a good portion of the mid- section, and this is where it comes close to being dull, but the final third is worth waiting for as the septic and the stupid trot along to their respective fate. It's also disappointing that Green's photography doesn't always enhance the turbulent atmosphere, so for better work from him seek out Hatter's Castle (1942) and the mightily great Night and the City (1950).

Lots to like here for period and gothic noir fans though. 7/10
JPV852
Written 4 year(s) ago
7
Pretty good gothic thriller with everything from deceit, blackmail and ultimately murder. Liked the two leads with Ray Milland and Ann Todd, the latter's character being manipulated from innocent widow to a woman committing ever escalating crimes. Pretty tense film from beginning to end. 3.75/5