ChanBot i must have seen a different film!!

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Crwthod A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

Abbigail Bush what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

p-eisley I've just seen this on TCM and the informative intro by Bob revealed that Henreid not only produced and acted in this film, but also directed it without credit when the assigned director was fired earlier in the picture because of the bad rushes. This was Henreid's first directing attempt and would become the first of many. The direction is fine. He attempts some interesting angles and sharp cuts. I didn't have as much a problem as some here with his casting. This wasn't a thug he was supposed to be portraying, but somebody with a brilliant, though warped brain. His accent (and he does have one) is the problem due to the contrivances of the plot. Somehow, he not only meets his exact double, but that double also has his accent. I know there is a scene were he tries to emulate the doctor's supposedly different voice, but in later scenes, he just speaks the same as always. Since this is the major conceit of the movie, it weakens the already iffy logic considerably. Later, when we're introduced to his brother, they do not share a similar accent. Although I'd usually chalk it up to one being raised somewhere else, this is never explained. And, the fact that it does crop up, just shows that his accent is a disadvantage instead of an asset. I enjoyed the movie, but it's not in a league with top-notch noir.

writers_reign This is all about light and shade, off-the-wall angles and an improbable plot. Luckily the lighting, angles, and camera-work in general keep the interest from flagging. Paul Henreid was never much of an actor albeit he lucked in to some pretty good movies - Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Casablanca, Now, Voyager - and he was shrewd enough to realise his shortcomings as an actor and get into directing. Strangely enough he only produced two movies and this was one of them in which he top-billed himself as an amoral criminal who is also sufficiently arrogant to attempt a casino heist that none of his associates want any part of. It goes wrong, natch, and leaves him on the lam. Improbably a stranger mistakes him for an analyst and he determines to see how much truth is in this. Turns out they could be twins except for the scar on the analyst's cheek. Nothing that can't be fixed. If you can buy this it's not a bad minor noir with an uncredited Jack Webb for good measure.

Roger Burke Billed as "film-noir", Hollow Triumph (HT) is an interesting character study of a man who has distinct sociopathic inclinations. As John Muller/Dr Bartok, Paul Henreid gives a chilling performance as the leader of group of robbers who sets up a job to rob a casino of its take (an idea given the comedy treatment in Oceans 11, twelve years later). The heist goes badly wrong though, forcing Muller to flee from the mob and two hit men who are ordered to kill him, regardless of how long it takes (another idea already used in The Killers from 1946, from an Earnest Hemingway story).Muller's gang goes separate ways, and Muller flees to a city a long way from that casino and mob.With the killers on the hunt, Muller is saved, so to speak, by deus ex machina: he stumbles upon a doppelganger who looks exactly the same, except for a large scar on one cheek. At the same time, Muller also finds a fast-talking, breezy secretary – Eveln Harn (Joan Bennett) – who is attracted to, yet somewhat also repulsed by, this smoothie chain smoker who has a mysterious background. Women are always too curious, no?Anyway, Muller, always the pragmatist, concocts a scheme to hide from the hit men by posing as Dr Bartok. That involves killing the good doctor – too bad, it's him or me, Muller reasons – and taking over the practice. Conveniently, Muller has a psych background, having studied psychology long ago. He works out how to get the proper scar onto his cheek – and he's in, safe and sound, and making more money to add to the loot he stole from the casino. He even goes to a local casino where Dr Bartok is well known, and has a swell time at the tables – and loses big time, as the real Bartok mostly did.But, the hit men are still searching, and closing in (check out Jack Webb's film debut as one of those bad guys). So, Muller arranges with Evelyn to scarper – leave on a boat to Hawaii and set up there. Muller forgets one crucial thing, however...This story and movie, although clichéd and predictable to a point, is nevertheless an excellent example of a thriller, and well acted by the whole cast; Henreid is perfect casting for the roles – his expressionless face is well suited to a cold, implacable killer and cool, detached psychiatrist. Joan Bennett – not a femme fatale in this story, but a victim of her gullibility and greed – plays the quick-witted go-getter with aplomb.Of special interest are the photography, editing and direction, all three of which are just excellent, with great, dark visuals that evoke appropriate suspense and edge-of-seat anticipation. The movie should be seen for that alone.Give this one eight out of ten. Recommended for all.February 28, 2013

mbanak This is now my 5th Noir, in a self-managed course in Film Noir. It is just dandy to understand this gig. Yet another fool on the planet weaves a web of deception so hair-raising, that he becomes at once pathetic and almost unbelievable. There comes a point when you are nearly certain what the ending will be. The actual finale was totally unexpected, and I wish I was at the theatre long ago, just to hear the audience gasp.I see Noir characters like to philosophize. I am afraid they say things that we are all thinking, but haven't the courage to say ourselves. The Dr's secretary has complicated needs. Don't we all? I just wonder if there are any Noir films where doing the right thing crosses their minds, as it would save everyone a lot of trouble. "Impact" comes to mind, but that's another story.Grab a bowl of popcorn, (popped in olive oil), a beer and enjoy this sleeper gem