The Ice Maiden herself, figure skater Belita plays the starring role in this crime noir in which she is the recently released from prison Laura Mead. Laura, who has always maintained her innocence, was arrested by her then boyfriend Johnny Saxon, an honest cop. When she was taken to prison after her trial she threatened to seek revenge upon her release...which is how the film begins.
Johnny is checking in with both her parole officer and the lawyer she feels let her down. He thinks that the lawyer and his life could potentially be in danger upon Laura's release. When he arrives home, there she is. The tension between these two is phenomenal. The screen practically crackles! Johnny has worked out a place for her to stay and a place for her to work...The Polar Palace Ice Rink in Los Angeles.
At first Johnny feels hunted...and then when the lawyer is killed, Laura goes on the run because she feels hunted. It's an interesting cat and mouse at that point that ends in the truth.
This film was a surprise to me. Belita has no formal acting training, as she was an ice skater, but she suited this noir role perfectly. She had a hard edge with her beauty that really left you guessing. Her character had every reason to be hardened, which left me wondering if she could ever forgive Johnny. All in all, I think this is a worthy noir film for noir aficionados, Belita fans and any classic film fans who like ice skating. I loved seeing Belita take the ice. It was especially nice not to have to pan out or blur the skater because Belita was doing her own skating. My favorite part of the film however is the banter between Laura and Johnny, delivered with sharp precision...Belita and Preston Foster who plays Johnny, have the kind of chemistry to really sell this story. Worthwhile and a recommendation from me. I really was kept in the dark as to her guilt or innocence until the end.
Johnny is checking in with both her parole officer and the lawyer she feels let her down. He thinks that the lawyer and his life could potentially be in danger upon Laura's release. When he arrives home, there she is. The tension between these two is phenomenal. The screen practically crackles! Johnny has worked out a place for her to stay and a place for her to work...The Polar Palace Ice Rink in Los Angeles.
At first Johnny feels hunted...and then when the lawyer is killed, Laura goes on the run because she feels hunted. It's an interesting cat and mouse at that point that ends in the truth.
This film was a surprise to me. Belita has no formal acting training, as she was an ice skater, but she suited this noir role perfectly. She had a hard edge with her beauty that really left you guessing. Her character had every reason to be hardened, which left me wondering if she could ever forgive Johnny. All in all, I think this is a worthy noir film for noir aficionados, Belita fans and any classic film fans who like ice skating. I loved seeing Belita take the ice. It was especially nice not to have to pan out or blur the skater because Belita was doing her own skating. My favorite part of the film however is the banter between Laura and Johnny, delivered with sharp precision...Belita and Preston Foster who plays Johnny, have the kind of chemistry to really sell this story. Worthwhile and a recommendation from me. I really was kept in the dark as to her guilt or innocence until the end.