This is another one of my favorite camp movies, though I'm sure Ross Hunter didn't intend that. It's an opulent, big budget soaper with Lana Turner rich and glamorous in the lead, which guarantees us some nice clothes anyway. Her husband is the sickly Lloyd Nolan, and his doctor is Lana's boyfriend, played by Anthony Quinn. Quinn is just aching to put an air bubble in that hypodermic and knock off Nolan. The next thing you know, we're at Lloyd's funeral.
Of course, as soon as she's a widow, Lana has another gentleman caller, played by Richard Basehart, and she starts getting blackmail notes. Someone knows that Lloyd had some help going into the great beyond. Soon it's time for another murder...
Portrait in Black has some really funny scenes and situations in it. My favorite is when Lana's character, who never got her driver's license, has to drive 25 miles on the Pacific Coast Highway in the rain. It's a riot! John Saxon, Sandra Dee, Ray Walston, Anna Mae Wong, and Virginia Gregg are along for support. Dee plays Turner's daughter, which is good casting. If you like this kind of big-budget potboiler, don't miss Portrait in Black.
Of course, as soon as she's a widow, Lana has another gentleman caller, played by Richard Basehart, and she starts getting blackmail notes. Someone knows that Lloyd had some help going into the great beyond. Soon it's time for another murder...
Portrait in Black has some really funny scenes and situations in it. My favorite is when Lana's character, who never got her driver's license, has to drive 25 miles on the Pacific Coast Highway in the rain. It's a riot! John Saxon, Sandra Dee, Ray Walston, Anna Mae Wong, and Virginia Gregg are along for support. Dee plays Turner's daughter, which is good casting. If you like this kind of big-budget potboiler, don't miss Portrait in Black.