A Life at Stake

Just viewed this film tonight for the first time.The basic plot is that the main character(keith andes) is concerned that some near accidents are attempts to do him in for $175,000 worth of life insurance.That is still a good amount of money today but in 1954 when this film was made it was near a fortune.Previously I read the main character was a husband,not so,he is single and concerned a husband and wife are trying to put him in an early grave.The plot is not really deep nor is the ending a great big surprise.What puts the movie over are the quality performances in this black and white drama.Not to often have I viewed the t v program "murder she wrote" but have seen Angela Lansbury in a few old movies,as in this one she shows a lot of talent.Her part is a seductive one and she does it well lounging around or near the swimming pool all day long.The target of her charms is Edward Shaw(Keith Andes).Her husband is played by Douglass Dumbrille a fine character actor with many screen credits.I have been a fan of his since seeing him play the pirate Israel Hands in the 1934 version of Treasure Island.He is so talented it's hard to believe it's the same actor in both these movies.The kid sister of Angela Lansbury is played well by Claudia Barrett,one year earlier Claudia was seen in the infamous "robot monster".Whatever happened to Claudia?Jane Darwell plays the part of the landlady,she gave a strong performance as the mother of Henry Fonda in "grapes of wrath".A good cast,big overcoats,shiny big cars(they called them boats back then)and a lot of other things made this movie enjoyable for me.