Pitfall (1948)

Why are descriptions of this movie so damned inaccurate? Forget film noir. This is *not* film noir. What this is, really, is a stalker movie. One of the first ones ever. Dick Powell has a lovely family but he's bored, so he goes and has a brief but intense fling with Lizbeth Scott. Raymond Burr, who loves Scott, tries to scare him away, then he starts stalking her. Constantly. Then he befriends Scott's former boyfriend, a volatile ex-con, and fills his ears with poison so he'll murder Dick Powell. The guy doesn't succeed, but that doesn't mean things don't end tragically for all concerned. Hardy a perfect crime film, but still worth seeing.

There's really nothing femme fatal about Lizabeth Scott's character here except that she has really bad luck choosing men, and those she's attracted to aren't available. Those attracted to her are scumbags. The story focuses on insurance executive Dick Powell who doesn't feel contentment in his job or his marriage to the pretty but bland Jane Wyatt. Business takes him into an affair with the sultry but basically decent Scott whose boyfriend is in prison for stealing money from one of Powell's clients. Unaware that his business associate Raymond Burr is obsessed with her, Powell continues to see her even after she finds out the truth about him, causing Burr to go mad with obsession towards her. This all culminates into the inevitable course of murder, with Powell at the forefront of scandal and bringing Scott to the edge by Burr's continued stalking of her. This doesn't have all of the elements of traditional film noir, not as dark or complex and other than Burr, lacking in really malevolent characters. Even the character of Scott's imprisoned boyfriend becomes a victim of Burr's demented mind, setting him up as a victim and bringing out the hidden darkness inside of Scott. This is more character driven than circumstance driven, and lacks the proper darkness to count among the truly great noir classics.

I think Lizabeth Scott had 90% of the formula to achieve "A" super level stardom. What she missed was the unknown factor, LUCK. The difference between being a star and a superstar is often just luck. What bar, party, you attended(or not attended) or a choice of friends can be that difference. The difference among top actors, is rarely raw talent. Lizabeth had as good a screen presence, and acting ability as any of her contemporaries. She certainly had better looks than most of her contemporaneous female actors. I think Pitfall is a top of the line noir film about the human foibles we bring to marriage. It also shows the uncertainty of forgiveness and redemption. In real life today, 50% of all marriages end in divorce, with another percentage continuing as a living arrangement only. As societies change, so do the mores and taboos for each generation. This movie bares a few of the flaws of the human condition. It leaves it up to the viewer to complete the ending. Does the private detective, shot by Liz, live or die? Will Dick Powell's marriage survive the infidelity? These two crucial points are left for the viewer to surmise. A very thought provoking ending. I also found real life irony in the fact that Lizabeth plays a character who has 90% of what she needed to prosper/excel in life, IE. intellect, beauty, etc., what was missing was the intangible "LUCK". In her acting life she missed superstar status, IE. Betty Davis etc. by the same intangible, "LUCK".

I've now watched a few Dick Powell-starring noir movies and I have really enjoyed them. He does the snappy patter about as well as anyone this side of Bogart. I had had seen Murder, My Sweet and I have always been a big fan of that movie. This is about a guy who really doesn't know how good he's got it--and gets himself knee deep in trouble when he meets Lizabeth Scott, while working an insurance case. Scott does not play the bad girl you might think in this movie, but is a victim of her own allure. Raymond Burr is creepy as a private investigator who works cases for Powell and Jane Wyatt is absolutely beautiful as Powell's strong, loyal wife. I give this a 7 -- great ambiance and a colorful supporting cast helps Powell do what he does so well. If you like this one see 'Cry Danger.'