I'm surprised by the frequent praise for the acting of Lizabeth Scott in this movie. All I see is flaring nostrils and rolling eyes that wouldn't have been out of place in one of the hammier silents. Perhaps that's not surprising since this was only her second movie. She went on to do much better work in the 1950s.
To see a real movie actress at work, look, instead, at Barbara Stanwyck in the scene in which she confronts Sam and Toni in their hotel bedroom. Watch how Stanwyck times and delivers her lines; her body language; the subtext of complete disdain. Those lines could have been played several ways, but Stanwyck pitches them note-perfect. Now, that's class.
To see a real movie actress at work, look, instead, at Barbara Stanwyck in the scene in which she confronts Sam and Toni in their hotel bedroom. Watch how Stanwyck times and delivers her lines; her body language; the subtext of complete disdain. Those lines could have been played several ways, but Stanwyck pitches them note-perfect. Now, that's class.