Too Late for Tears (1949) NOIR ALLEY; So, Muller began talking about femme fatales, & how they were described, noting that such descriptions omitted 'housewife.' But this film is an exception.
Jane Palmer (
Lizabeth Scott) is one such housewife, and she is very dissatisfied with her middleclass status. While her husband is driving them to a party, she insists she does not want to go, because other women in the group will be looking down on her, etc. Oh, they are driving a convertible with its top down, & it is night. So, husband Alan Palmer (
Arthur Kennedy) turns around, and begins driving the other direction. When a car approaching from the other side of the road, its driver tosses a suitcase into their back seat. What was that? so, they stop, open the case, &
find it is full of money! Jane is elated! Now she can afford all those things she wanted for so long! Suddenly, another convertible approaches, flashing its headlights. They immediately speed away, evading the pursuer.
Alan is the responsible type, he insists on taking the case full on money to the police. Jane is the greedy type, & if this were an animated cartoon her eyes would be dollar $igns. Finally Alan seems to have calmed Jane, and gets her to agree that he will put the case in the luggage check at the train station. Next day, a knock on their apartment door, & Danny Fuller (
Dan Duryea) bursts in demanding the money! He slaps jane repeatedly, she denies knowing what he is talking about. Anything more would spoil it.
I loved this! What a wonderful example of noir! 9/10