Richard Chatten Don't expect the tear-jerker the title might lead you to anticipate. To paraphrase Godard, all you need for a film noir is Lizabeth Scott with a gun in her handbag, and that's what you get here.Visually the film isn't actually terribly noirish, since much of the action takes place in the modest but well-lit little apartment occupied by honest working stiff Arthur Kennedy and his wannabe Queen Bee wife Lizabeth Scott. However, since Ms. Scott's extraordinary face framed by a sleek blonde bob is a prominent visual motif throughout the film, there are enough images of her framed by cameraman William Mellor in a succession of chic high-collared suits to inspire plenty of paintings by Richard Hamilton.In a narrative that anticipates Sam Raimi's 'A Simple Plan', Kennedy and Scott have predictably differing ideas about what to do with a suitcase containing $60,000 in untraceable notes that unexpectedly lands on their car seat. Not long afterwards Dan Duryea at his scariest wearing an obnoxious little bow-tie comes calling wanting his money back, before learning too late - like Tony Perkins in 'Pretty Poison' - that he's in way out of his depth with a true criminal sociopath like Ms. Scott.There's a lot of talk; but as scripted by Roy Huggins (who later created 'The Fugitive' and 'The Rockford Files') it's good talk, and the interaction and development of the characters builds to a most satisfyingly conclusion to which little clues have been discreetly sown along the way. The characters of the man introducing himself as Kennedy's former war buddy, and Kennedy's sister herself who lives across the landing - played by Don Defore and Kristine Miller - don't at first seem terribly interesting but grow to confound expectations.All the acting is good, with the possible exception of Ms. Scott herself, who's a bit one-note, but isn't really required to do much except look like Lizabeth Scott, which she does to perfection. Aged only 26, she already looks as if she's had her face lifted about half a dozen times; but on her it looks good!

Tom Dooley Made in 1949 this is one of those films that is a must for all noir fans. Do be warned though as this fell out of copyright some years ago and was widely duplicated – often very badly – but this is the restored version and is an absolute gem.Late one night a couple are driving to a party that is far from inviting when a slow car tosses a bag into their open top car. The bag is choc full f cash. The wife is Jane Palmer (Lizabeth Scott) and she decides that she is going to hang onto the cash – despite what her husband wants. So she decides to convince him to keep it. He is cut from a different cloth and it soon becomes apparent how far she will go to keep it.Now Lizabeth Scott is a show stealer here and that is even though everyone else is great too. She is so convincing as the manipulative and self centred vixen and I just loved it. As I said earlier watch out for poor copies or better still get the restored version. For those of you that love fashion, there are some timeless and elegant gowns on display here too and the men all wear zoot suits so you can't win 'em all. This is a must for all fans of the genre and one that has aged with style.

Claudio Carvalho In Los Angeles, Alan Palmer (Arthur Kennedy) and his wife Jane Palmer (Lizabeth Scott) are driving to a party when a suitcase is thrown in the back seat of their car. When they open the suitcase, they find a large amount but they are chased by another car and they flee. Alan decides to deliver the money to the police, but Jane opposes and wants to keep it. So Alan decides to keep the suitcase with the money in a locker at the Union Station to decide what to do. A couple of days later, Jane spends a large amount in furs and other gifts for her. Then a man called Danny Fuller (Dan Duryea) comes to their apartment and Jane believes he is a detective and let him in; but soon she learns that he is also seeking the money. When Alan returns from his work and finds the shopping, he becomes upset and Jane does not tell anything about Danny. During the night, Alan and Jane go to a boat ride to make amends and she accidentally kills him with his pistol. Danny is forced to help her to dump the body in a lake and Jane reports to the police that her husband is missing. Her sister-in-law Kathy Palmer (Kristine Miller) that lives in the same floor snoops around Jane's apartment and finds the receipt of the locker. When she is sneaking out, she meets the stranger Don Blake (Don DeFore) that tells that is Alan's friend. Meanwhile Jane is seeking the receipt to get the money for her. Why the money was thrown to the backseat of the Palmer's convertible? Who will keep the money? Who are Danny and Don Blake? "Too Late for Tears" is a great film with all the elements of the film- noir: there is the sordid motive, the femme fatale and many twists. This movie is probably one of the best roles of the gorgeous Lizabeth Scott. The DVD release by "Dark City" has a poor video that needs restoration. But it is worthwhile watching since the story is excellent. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): Not Available on DVD or Blu-Ray

LeonLouisRicci Since Film-Noir was a Genre that Didn't Become a Fully-Fledged Awareness Until After the Fact, a Perfect Example Rarely Resulted and most of the Movies had at least some Ingredients that were Antithesis to the Style. For Example, In this one all of the Interior Scenes are Brightly Lit and very Standard Stuff with Little Lighting Style and even Less Reflection of the Mood that was Present.While Not the Smoothest of Chandleresque Dialog, Writer Roy Huggins Manages quite a few Zingers Interspersed among some Clunk. Director Byron Haskin's Noir is at times Elongated and some of it Feels Like Filler. But the Things that do Work are Excellent Examples of Film-Noir.It's Lizabeth Scott's Femme-Fatale Film and Everything and Everybody Spirals around Her. The Audience can See Through Her more than the Smitten Men She Seduces. Dan Duryea has a Literal Breakdown, and Her Husband, Arthur Kennedy's Fate is Sealed once the Money Shows up and He Resists Keeping it.Only Dom Defore, is Immune to Her Charms. Defore is slightly Miscast for this Type of Thing but does Manage to Pull it Off. The Other Female, Kristine Miller gives a Smooth Performance and is a Good Counterpart to the Bad Girl Scott.Overall, it is the Hard-Boiled Dialog, Liz Scott's Deadly Persona, and the Bleak Story that makes this a Low-Budget Winner.Note...The Film-Noir Foundation and UCLA with the help of others have managed to finally rescue this from the Public Domain DVD abominations and a fine print can be seen on TCM.