Touches You

Good concept, poorly executed.

Fresh and Exciting

A Masterpiece!

German immigrant director Douglas Sirk created movies a lot like Hitchcock did. Both seemed to consider the image on screen more important to the story than dialogue. Shadows, odd camera angles, and surprises were present. Sirk did early RomComs before they were ever called that. But, "Lured" is definitely a mystery in the style of Hitchcock.Sirk's mirrors were a trademark in his photography. Mirrors of all types reflected important events in his stories. There are mirrors in homes, stores, offices, and just about everywhere else. When we see a mirror in one of his movies, we know we'll learn something new about the story.One of the best mirror scenes here is aging horror star Boris Karloff delivering some lines - while perfectly mirror framed - into a dressing-table mirror. We see that image, which actually is within a misdirection and throw-away segment that has nothing to do with the "real story". It would be a perfect joke on the audience by the writer, screenwriter, and Sirk to throw the audience off. The director and cameraman had to make sure the camera and filming crew were not reflected in any mirror.

This movie used to turn up a lot on Australian television during the 1960's, but now seems quite rare with the DVD fetching a high price if Amazon is any guide.It's a serial killer movie before the term was actually coined. The film is set in Hollywood London with plenty of fog, sumptuous interiors, loads of atmosphere and a terrific cast.Lucille Ball, a few years before "I love Lucy", plays Sandra Carpenter an American working as a taxi dancer. When a friend of hers becomes a victim of The Poet Killer, she is hired by Inspector Temple (Charles Coburn) of Scotland Yard as a temporary undercover policewoman to act as bait.Although the way the police put the clues together with early attempts at psychological profiling is interesting, credulity is stretched when Temple enlists Sandra after a few questions and asking her to lift her dress to check the shape of her legs – he also gives her a pistol. However Charles Couburn brings plenty of gravitas to his character, which makes up for the odd lapse in logic.The murder plot is woven around wanted ads in the paper and messages based on the poems of Baudelaire, "One of the most fantastic madmen who ever lived", according to Inspector Temple. Sandra also becomes involved with Robert Fleming (George Sanders) and his business partner Julian Wilde (Cedric Hardwick) who together run a string of popular nightclubs. Both men are drawn into the mystery, which keeps the whole plot pretty close to home.The film is full of red herrings including a bizarre sequence starring Boris Karloff.The reason why the film works so well is the brilliant mood that is established from the start, a clever script and the smooth direction by Douglas Sirk – the film has a light touch without losing suspense. Then there are the stars; a very pretty Lucille Ball exudes feistiness and confidence, while George Sanders delivers that unique quality of unflappable sophistication and superiority, and he plays a nicer guy here than his Addison Dewitt in "All About Eve" – he was a brilliant screen presence that was never replaced.Although a suspension of disbelief helps, this movie has something. I love the ending, but I wouldn't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. It's one of those films I can always watch again.

In a way, "Lured" is actually George Zucco's film. Why? Because of his counter-casting, even though there has never been any doubt that this great mostly-unknown English actor (except to horror & comedy-mystery fans) would have pulled it off with his usual style & class, and here, humor (remember, he was a hoot in "After the Thin Man" & "Topper Returns").It's a fun whodunit with a really solid cast from top to bottom, including favorites Alan Mobray, Gerald Hamer, Joseph Calleia, Charles Coburn,and Alan Napier (Alfred the butler on "Batman")."Lured" is about a lady killer on the loose in London, and includes a cast with such leading stars as Lucille Ball, George Sanders, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and George Sanders - but it's Zucco who always demands that the viewer watch.Horror legend Boris Karloff shows up in as a crazed dress designer. His moment is priceless.Hopefully, one or two of the terrific new retro networks will add this to their rotations.

This picture telegraphs every pivotal point in the story, so much so that it ceases to be in the upper echelon of mystery stories or film noir movies. It has a lot to recommend it, including a first-rate cast and a good premise, but lacks suspense and tension - and it telegraphs the unsatisfactory ending. It is a transparent picture which holds your interest to a point.Sandra (Lucille Ball) and her friend Lucy (!) are taxi dancers. Lucy answers a personal ad in the paper, hoping for a better job and more money, but she is never seen again. It so happens there is a murderer loose in London, preying on single girls, and Sandra goes to Scotland Yard to report her friend missing. Chief Insp. Temple (Chas. Coburn) overhears her story and enlists her as a decoy in the case."Lured" is a showcase for Lucille Ball. Dressed up for a nightclub date, she is breathtaking and never looked better. She is the nominal star of the film, and she is good. She just lacks gravitas for such a role, which should have gone to the likes of Ann Sheridan or even one of the Lane sisters. I disagree with a previous reviewer in that I found precious little chemistry between George Sanders and Ms. Ball and their relationship seemed forced. But as mentioned, the support cast is a fascinating mix with Sanders, George Zucco and Boris Karloff. They do their best to bring some menace to a movie which wanders off point and with too many red herrings for a higher rating.