The Dark Corner(1946) Official
Despite being an "A-picture" with a $1.2 million production cost, it was not a commercial success at the time, grossing approximately $1 million.
is a quintessential American film noir that famously features Lucille Ball in a rare dramatic role before her television superstardom . Directed by Henry Hathaway, it is often compared to the 1944 masterpiece Laura due to its cast, themes of high-society obsession, and shared screenwriter Jay Dratler. Core Production Details Director: Henry Hathaway.
A departure from her later comedic persona, she plays a "Girl Friday" with "street smarts". Ball reportedly found the production difficult due to Hathaway’s demanding directing style. The Dark Corner(1946)
Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, William Bendix, and Mark Stevens. Studio: 20th Century Fox.
Today, it is regarded as a "Grade A" example of film noir. It currently holds a 100% "Fresh" rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes . Despite being an "A-picture" with a $1
Galt becomes entangled in a complex frame-up involving (Clifton Webb), a wealthy, effete art gallery owner. Helping him navigate this "dark corner" is his loyal and resourceful secretary, Kathleen Stewart (Lucille Ball), who eventually goes beyond her job description to save him from a murder charge. Key Characters & Performances
Reviewers frequently praise the film's "painterly rendering" and its ability to blend the "urban and the urbane," contrasting gritty PI offices with opulent art galleries. Core Production Details Director: Henry Hathaway
Webb essentially reprises his sophisticated, villainous persona from Laura , playing an art-obsessed elitist.
