Obsession (1949)

"You've heard of the last straw, Bill? Well you're it."So sums up the plot of the chilling thriller The Hidden Room. Robert Newton's wife, Sally Gray, has been repeatedly unfaithful. Bobbie can't take it anymore, and he's vowed to kill the next of her lovers. Phil Brown just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.The Hidden Room was ahead of its time, no doubt inspiring stories like Sleuth and Secrets in Their Eyes. It's not your normal revenge story of the 1940s; it's very creepy. Robert Newton was an easy casting choice for the frustrated villain, but I'm sure James Mason, Herbert Marshall, and Claude Rains were envious that they weren't chosen instead, as they each could have played the part.My biggest criticism of the film is its untapped potential. When Scotland Yard gets involved in the story, the cleverness of writer Alec Coppel dwindles. There could have been many more cat-and-mouse games, or gotchas for the audience, all of which would have fit in with the opening tone of the film. It doesn't make any sense that Scotland Yard even becomes involved in the first place, let alone the other steps that are taken. Still, if you like creepy stories or revenge schemes that involve mental torture, you'll definitely want to check out The Hidden Room.

Successful psychiatrist Robert Newton (Clive) is fed up of his wife Sally Gray (Storm) and her philandering ways. He's got business to attend to and it involves her latest lover Phil Brown (Bill). Newton calmly says to Brown - "Have you ever heard of the straw that broke the camel's back? Well,......it's you" - before putting his pre-meditated plan into action. Superintendent Naunton Wayne (Finsbury) turns up about halfway through the film to try and figure things out.The film is a battle of wits between everyone involved and it makes for entertaining viewing. The film grips you from the start and doesn't let go. Robert Newton starts off as completely likable and delivers some great dialogue in his calm and controlled manner. I totally sympathized with him but I'm not sure I was meant to. He is that appealing. I did gradually swing round to Phil Brown's side, though, after all, Newton is crackers! Great scenes, great locations, great acting and a clever dog. There are unexpected plot twists but the ending is slightly ambiguous. I went for the interpretation that sees Sally Gray stay in character, ie, a tart.

When Dr Clive Riordan discovers that the friendship of his wife and American Bill Kronin is actually an affair he confronts them with a gun, whisking Bill away with wife Storm sure that he will murder him. With Bill missing days later, the police begin a missing persons search that makes the headlines. Unable to go to the police without ruining her reputation, Storm is certain that Clive has killed her lover – however a letter from Bill suggests he is still alive. Meanwhile the police investigation continues, with Clive never coming into it once, despite the fact that he is holding Bill alive in a secret room in his house – waiting for the police to give the case up before killing him for real.I have made a bit of a fudge in describing the plot above but it actually flows a lot better than I have written it. The plot is quickly set up and it brings the film down to a series of cat and mouse style games, all of them Riordan and at least one other. So we get Riordan and Bill talking in the secret room; Riordan and Storm talking around the supposed murder; Riordan and Supt Finsbury talking around the investigation. The film can pretty much be broken down into these parts, interlinking with each other. Each works well as the writing and tension help to keep the film moving along well right down to the satisfying conclusion.The script is enjoyable in producing characters that are interesting. For example I enjoyed the way that Clive seemed to quite like Bill despite the fact that he was going to kill him. The script also has a touch of humour across it, with the macabre comedy across it played subtly while also leaving room for an amusing Carry On style joke from the woman complaining about her husband in Riordan's surgery. Dmytryk directs well mostly inside rooms, keeping enough back to build the tension but not letting it become stagy.The cast respond well to this and it is they that make the script work well. Newton is the standout of the cast as he delivers a cold and clinical character who is also emotional but in a very English way. He works well with the other actors to deliver some solid tension. Brown is good considering what is asked of him in his character – he works well with Newton. Gray is almost on the sidelines for much of the film but gives a reasonable turn despite this. Wayne delivers an obvious character perhaps but it does work when you consider how it compliments and plays off Newton's character.Overall then an enjoyable little film. Criminally few have seen it but it works well within itself thanks to a solid script that good performances make good on, and of course atmospheric handling from director Dmytryk.

Robert Newton is a Doctor and a gentleman. But even he can be pushed too far from his manipulative cheating wife, Storm. Sally Gray gives a devastatingly perfect performance as Storm. Her callow suitor-du-jour, an American sailor named Bill, doesn't have the faintest idea of the peril he's in for when he dates her. Newton's character has nothing in particular against Bill. In fact, he rather likes him. He just happens to be the straw that broke the camel's back.It's all played out in a single hidden room that no one knows Newton owns, and the psychological effects the situation has on its three principal is explored to its utmost. If you enjoy film noir, and taut character studies, this is the movie for you. Don't miss the dark-humoured twist ending!