Blonde Ice

First, this is a review of the VCI Entertainment package of this long lost noir, originally made by one of the briefest of the poverty row studios, Classic Film. Simply put - this is the DVD version to get. It boasts the best picture and sound quality currently available of this title, and most likely the best one that will ever be available. It is far superior to the currently available Alpha release, thanks to the restoration work of Jay Fenton who also contributes a very good commentary track for the film as well.They just don't make femme fatales/serial killers like Claire Cummings anymore. Played by the appropriately icy Leslie Brooks, Claire is in the great tradition of poverty row villainous woman: absolutely hard core and cut throat in ways that none of the major studios of the time felt comfortable dealing with. Claire is not in any way, shape or form a "misunderstood" woman, in the way the majors preferred their femme fatales. Nor is she a "tough kid" - basically all right but just a little rough and hardened by life, ala Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce. And she doesn't need a patsy to do her dirty work for her, as does Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity. Nope, Claire can take care of things herself, thank you. Claire is a psychopath that seeks men out for the money and power they bring her and kills them quickly if they fail to deliver the goods. She is absolutely crazy, brilliant - homicidal. No sweet kid underneath here, not by a very long shot. Claire represents a key quality that was so glorious about poverty row cinema: characters were not required to be sympathetic.This poverty row, noir classic has several other things going for it.1. It was directed by Jack Bernhard, who also was at the helm for another great poverty row noir, Decoy. Not well know anymore, Bernhard was a great poverty row director that really knew his craft and was able to deal with difficult themes, most notably seriously crazy, complex women, with grace and skill.2. The film contains a great performance from Leslie Brooks, and also from the male lead, Robert Paige. Paige was passed the prime of his career when this film was made, having slipped from the major studios to poverty row, and he would slip further after this, ending up with very spotty television work. Yet his work in this film is committed and very moving. There is, in fact, one scene in the film in which his character, Les Burns, drunkenly confronts Claire with his suspicions, that is so well acted any actor of any era would be proud to call their own. Paige was a fine actor, giving this poverty row production 100%3. Another poverty row hallmark: great character actors playing great juicy parts. My favorite in the film - the sadly forgotten James Griffith, who always played a slim fox, full of snide oily comments delivered in a butter smooth voice.4. Perhaps most importantly, this film was shot by George Robinson, who also was the cinematographer on such moody pieces as House of Dracula, House of Frankenstein, and The Scarlet Claw. Another old pro who really knew his stuff. Jay Fenton talks about this great artist quite a bit in his wonderful commentary track, explaining how he liked to shine tiny flashlights in actors eyes to make them glow with madness or evil, and how he was a master of shot composition.All in all, a great film presented in a great package. Highly recommended.

This film is highly regarded as a minor gem via the Femme Fatale category of Film Noir. It was shot on a very small budget which makes it even more interesting to consider when discussing "B" movies, especially in the Noir world of film. Though it was lost since the early 1970's, it has now been re-discovered, and because of a brand new restoration done by the noted Jay Fenton, and the subsequent remastering that appears on this dvd specifically done by VCI Entertainment, it is time to re-evaluate the film in a different light. It tells the rather bizarre tale of a beautiful society columnist, played by Leslie Brooks, who's desire for money and a higher society position, turn her into a serial killer. Now, as expected, such a story would not be even touched by most major Hollywood studios of the 1940's. Therefore, like so many other Noir films, it was released by Film Classics, a studio that would be considered a "poverty row" production. Leslie Brooks is excellent as Claire Cummings, who plays the cool and gorgeous blonde with a psychotic streak, who turns a bevy of men into her dim-witted love slaves. She projects a lethal quality somewhat similar to Barbara Stanwyck in "Double Indemnity"(1944). I don't want to be a spoiler so I won't reveal too much more of the twisted plot. What is also fascinating is the possibility that famed director Edgar G. Ulmer may have written at least part of if not the whole filmscript himself. This is alluded to via a 1970 interview with Ulmer done by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich. Thus, my title of this review "Single Indemnity", which was the title of a script that Ulmer told Peter that he had written but had to have the name changed because of the 1944 film "Double Indemnity". The film has strong Noir stylings, such as some beautiful chiaroscuro photography. Along with the visual stylings, the film contains some noted Noir character actors such as James Griffith, Emory Parnell, Robert Paige, and Walter Sande. The running time of the film is 74 minutes. The transfer is not pristine, due to the difficulty in finding a good copy of the original film, itself, but I would rate it as very good. Make sure that you buy the VCI copy, which is much better than any of the other prints that I have seen. In addition, there is a bounty of Special Features, which add to the bargain of this edition. Included Special Features are: Commentary by Jay Fenton, Film Restoration Consultant, Bonus Film Noir TV Episode "Into The Night", Bonus Soundie, "Satan Wears a Satin Dress", Photo Gallery, Bonus Film Noir Trailers, an excellent Video Interview on the subject of Film Restoration, Edgar Ulmer-A Fascinating Possibility, Bios and Filmographies, and Liner Notes written by Jay Fenton. All in all, this is a real bargain that one would be very hard pressed to beat! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! SMRZ!!

First and foremost, if you are going to buy the DVD, then make sure it is from VCI as they spent the money to restore two prints into one good version and the sound is excellent. If you don't care about picture and sound quality, the Alpha Video version is adequate.This is a B-movie and never rises above such although the budget was substantial. Leslie Brooks gives an adequate performance but the script never affords much opportunity. While some think this is classic film noir, it is just another B-movie crime-drama without much suspense or thrill.While certainly entertaining, it is never rises above ice melting for suspense and unfortunately the ending is not only predictable but extremely contrived. I had the feeling the ending was shot on the last production day and the producer only had one hour before the crew bailed.Forget the words "great" or "significant" boldly touted by other reviewers. You will not be keeping this after watching nor thinking of watching a second time. It is like a second-rate novel you take to the beach or on an airplane trip. Regardless of Leslie Brooks it never rises above light entertainment.

Claire (Leslie Brooks) is a deranged gold-digger that needs power and wealth. And she does whatever she needs to do in order to get what she wants. She chalks up a good body count before the film is over. I actually quite like her.Leslie Brooks reminds me of Bette Davis. She put in a good performance as a woman that you don't cross. The film ticks along as we follow Claire and her pursuit of wealth. The best parts of the film are whenever she decides to kill someone - it's always a very determined and direct approach and I found myself looking forward to her next crime. She saves the best for last as she tells a psychiatrist what she thinks of him and then goes for him. She's got 3 people surrounding her but it doesn't stop her. It's top quality.The film slowed down a bit in the middle and the ending was contrived and convenient. She seemed untouchable up to that point and I had no idea how they were going to put a stop to her behaviour. Her final actions just didn't ring true. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable film and Leslie Brooks is most entertaining.

From 1948 in Glorious Black & White. After reading the reviews available I got the VCI DVD version, which is restored very well and includes several extras including an interview with Jay Fenton ( film restoration expert ) which is quite interesting , and also a bonus TV episode of " Into the Night " ( which is very good ). The term Film Noir , if you ask me , is applied to too many films of the era perhaps a little too broadly , for marketing effect. I would say rather that this is a crime drama featuring a ruthless femme fatale. She is Blonde Ice . She manipulates men to further her own purposes in a way that seems as natural to her as breathing . She marries for money and position , murders when that goes sideways , quickly bounces back to a previous engagement , dumps him for a upwardly mobile politician and murders again to cover up the first murder. Well done , very entertaining.

Unable to view the video due to it being a poor copy (pixelation and streaking) So I downloaded the film (public domain - copyright expired) loved the movie perfect quality. Great movie highly recommend the film.