Midnight Mysteries-Laura (1944)
I imagine between the schedule and facing the dark side of
humanity on a daily basis that it would be difficult for a NYC detective to
meet that someone special. Under her
portrait’s mesmerizing gaze while reading her diary, Detective Mark McPherson
falls for a beautiful, quick-witted woman during a murder investigation.
Unfortunately, the lovely Laura Hunt happens to be the victim.
The true star of the movie is the dialogue. Laura’s mentor, newspaper columnist, Waldo
Lydecker, has a rapier wit and he’s fond of skewering the unwary. Writers will be intrigued by Lydecker’s
writing desk, a typewriter perched over a spa-sized bathtub.
“I’m not kind. I’m vicious it’s the secret of my charm.”
Waldo Lydecker
“In my case, self-absorption is completely justified. I have
never discovered any subject so worthy of my attention.” Waldo Lydecker
McPherson: [Regarding the list of suspects] “You know you’re
on this list too.”
Lydecker: “Good. It would insult me to be overlooked.”
“I can afford a blemish on my soul, but not my clothes.”
Shelby Carpenter
By the way it’s a treat to see a young Vincent Price emerge
from the shadows to play Laura’s man candy boyfriend, Shelby Carpenter.
I’m afraid I can’t say more without revealing too much. I
can tell you that Laura like most noir movies, nothing is as it seems.
