Build My Gallows High - film review
Delightful example of the film noir genre. Robert Mitchum plays former private detective Jeff Bailey, whose past errors of judgement catch up with him as he gets drawn in again to the murky dealings of former client Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas). Jane Greer plays femme fatale Kathie Moffat, pulling the strings and double crossing both Bailey and Sterling in turn.
In a believable depiction of events spiralling out of control, Bailey gets sucked further into a web of crime, from which there can be no escape. As their options run out, Kathie sums up the foundations of her relationship with Bailey in a withering burst of sincerity: "If you're thinking of anyone else, don't bother... it wouldn't work. You're no good for anyone but me. You're no good, and neither am I. That's why we deserve each other."
Such self-knowledge is a rare and beautiful thing, but is the price of acquisition too high?
Essential viewing.