Lured (1947)

This film is immediately unique because it is from famed melodrama director Douglas Sirk, yet it is before his famed period. Prior to his Rock Hudson collaborations, the German director worked within the system and made a variety of different types of films. Lured is a murder mystery film starring Lucille Ball in a dramatic role and takes place in seedy London.
The film is relatively un-remarkable but it works well as a who-done-it. Sirk's visual style is lush, with beautiful set locations and "exterior" settings. Perhaps the most Sirkian aspect of the film is the use of music. At times, the soundtrack is almost overwhelming and is used at key turning points throughout the film. The movie even uses Schubert's Unfinished Symphony as a key set piece.
I was particularly impressed with Lucille Ball's performance. She is a really solid dramatic actress and even sneaks some comedic elements into the film. It definitely gives it a breezier feel and the film moves along at a steady clip. Of course, the plot is illogical, but it works. I would delay in calling this film a noir, for it lacks any of the cynicism and general darkness of the genre, but Sirk's style would definitely make a beautiful noir. He is an extraordinary light technician, evident in all of his films. Every scene in this film takes place inside or in the dark. His exterior locations are quite well done and he definitely has a unique visual style.

Basically, I was impressed to see Sirk working within a genre that wasn't a bourgeois melodrama. I would love to get my hands on another of his early films: Shockproof. But that shall be practically impossible.
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