Among the Living (1941)

Among the Living is directed by Stuart Heisler and written by Garrett Fort and Lester Cole. It stars Albert Dekker, Susan Hayward, Harry Carey and Frances Farmer. Music is by Gerard Carbonara and cinematography by Theodor Sparkuhl.Dekker plays identical twins, John and Paul Raden. Paul was believed to have died when he was just 10 years old, in reality he had been traumatised and went insane and was locked up in a secret room at the Raden Mansion. When John returns for his father's funeral, he learns of Paul's existence, more so when Paul escapes and is out and about in Radentown...1941 saw the release of Citizen Kane, The Maltese Falcon, High Sierra and I Wake Up Screaming. Films that mark an important point in the progression of what would become known as film noir, both thematically and as a visual style. Elsewhere there were some horror movies which would stand the test of time as classic productions, films such as The Wolf Man and The Black Cat are still massively popular today. Down in the lesser known file is Among the Living, a picture that blends both horror and noir for considerable rewards.It's a slice of Southern Gothic which nods appreciatively to classic horror conventions from the previous decade (eg: the Frankenstein connection is hard to ignore but handled skillfully), and it even has social commentary bursting forth from its seams, but it's with the photographic style where it becomes a must see for film noir enthusiasts.Heisler (latterly The Glass Key/Storm Warning) and Sparkuhl (also The Glass Key) shoot the picture by way of German Expressionism, where certain scenes and photographic compositions anticipate the noir style before it became the norm. From the feverish and frantic exuberance of a club scene, to a chase scene through menacing shadowed streets that end with murder, there are classy slices of noir before we even get to the crushing finale where Radentown is gripped by its own greed and insanity problems.Dekker is terrific, managing to give each twin their own identity without relying on costuming for the viewers to tell the difference. His man child portrayal of Paul is heartfelt and perfectly troubling, yet always tasteful. Hayward is socko gorgeous as a vampish nymph who latches onto Paul to feather her own nest, while Farmer provides the sort of solid support she was capable of before her own personal problems would derail her potential career.The psychological aspects of the pic are simplistic, of course, while viewing it now it's impossible to not get a sense of it being cliché heavy as regards the "twins" axis of plotting, but this is well paced, very well acted and beautifully photographed. If you can track down a decent print of it, then it's a must see for anyone interested in the influences and subsequent trajectory of film noir. 8/10

Long before 'The Parent Trap' we get some great split-screen special effects of Albert Dekker playing twins in this 1941 early Noir. But, it seems Dekker did such a great job of playing two starring roles in this film, that he spent most of the rest of his long career playing bit parts. He wasn't really that bad . . . or that good. Not the greatest film ever but worth a watch just for the wild vigilante mob that becomes the star of the show and is reminiscent of 'Frankenstein.' Plus how can you go wrong with a sweet innocent lead heroine named Mollie Pickens and several scenes with a newsboy walking down the street shouting, "Extra, Extra . . ." to help move the plot along?

Sharp, tightly paced low budget film is hard to categorize. There are definitely noirish tendencies but it's not a full blown film noir, there are also elements of horror contained within but neither is a horror movie. Even as a hybrid of different genres it is very involving and uses it short running time to full effect, actually so effective that it received quite a lot of critical attention in its day for a lower budget release and helped move its leading lady's career forward. Speaking of the leading lady the film is also a study of two stars in flight. Susan Hayward whose full fledged stardom was still a few years away was still definitely on her way up, Frances Farmer, whose part is small, was most definitely on the descent. At one time considered an actress with the brightest of futures this was her second to last picture before descending into a decades long hell of mental illness and involuntary confinement. The real standout though is Albert Dekker in a dual role of very different twin brothers. An excellent character actor who met a grisly end he rarely had the opportunity of the leading role but he takes his chance here and makes the most of it. His body language and vocal inflections makes the two characters recognizably different men and their struggles relatable. Not readily available and hard to find its definitely worth the effort to seek out.

Stuart Heisler had been a film editor for over 24 years with one directorial credit before Paramount let him direct a low budget entry "The Biscuit Eater" (1940) - it became the sleeper of the year with the National Board of Review naming it among it's top ten movies. Although he was later thrust into directing "A" movies, none of them found the critical praise that came his way with the release of the masterful psychological thriller "Among the Living". Susan Hayward, poised on the brink of stardom had had mainly nondescript roles, only her part as malevolent Hester in "Adam Had Four Sons" gave any indication of her explosive talent. Now, given the role of the sluttish Milly Pickens, Susan was given something she could really get her teeth into.After the death of his father, Maxim Raden, hated owner of the lately closed Radentown Mills, John (Albert Dekker) is told that his twin brother, whom he thought dead, is still alive. Paul is a hopeless lunatic kept straight jacketed in a secret room at Radenhouse. Many years before, in trying to defend his mother against his father's brutality, he was dashed against a wall and his only lasting memory is that of his mother's scream. When John and Saunders (Harry Carey), who has kept the secret for 25 years in exchange for a share of Maxim's estate, go to Radenhouse they find Paul has escaped after killing Pompey, his keeper. He wanted to see for himself that his father was not buried near his mother and what he finds sends him on a murderous rampage.He finds himself at a rooming house where his gentlemanly ways find favour with Ma Pickins (Maude Eburne) and her sluttish daughter Millie (Hayward). His clothes may be shabby but he is "refined"!!! "If I had a wad of folding dough like that I'd go right out and buy an outfit that would knock this neighbourhood cockeyed"!!! So says Millie when she sees Paul's cash!! but before he take Millie dancing he makes the acquaintance of a "B" girl (Jean Phillips, who bears a strong resemblance to Ginger Rogers). In a surreal sequence he wanders into the swinging "Riverbottom Cafe" where the laughter, music and jitterbugging all combine to send Paul into a frenzy. When the blonde floozy not only rejects him but laughs in his face (after he says he wishes Millie was there instead of her) - it leads to a terrifying chase, she running faster and faster, Paul gaining on her until, down a darkened alley all you hear is a piercing scream.Next day, when out with Millie, who is discreetly taking him for all she can get, news comes over the radio that John Raden is offering $5,000 reward for capture of the murderer. "Yahoo, $5,000!!! I could get a fur coat for that - all for little Millie"!! The town is whipped into a frenzy of mob rule and Millie convinces Paul to go with her to Radenhouse, she is convinced the murderer will be hiding out there and no one will suspect!! But they do and the mob go there too and Millie, excited to a fever pitch, misidentifies the innocent John, turning against Paul as easily as she had turned on to him!!!Albert Dekker really rose to the challenge of playing twins. His Paul was a mastery of understatement and he avoided the leers, ogles and grimaces that actors usually bought out when portraying madness. You felt only pity for him and what he had gone through and also for the fact that the doctor, his so-called friend, had only kept the secret for his own selfish reasons. Frances Farmer, initially one of the most beautiful of starlets, had gone through some severe emotional and alcohol problems. By the time of "Among the Living" she could barely function and later said her mental state was such that she hardly knew what she was doing. Fortunately she didn't need to do much, her portrayal of John's wife only required that she look frightened and scream at different times. Also seen in the cafe and "kangeroo court" scene was Dorothy Sebastian, bewitching beauty of the silents.