"It's my opinion that beauty is worth any sacrifice."
Reviewers generally dismiss The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947) as a lesser effort for its stars, Humphrey Bogart and Barbara Stanwyck. Certainly few would name Peter Godfrey's derivative melodrama as a classic, yet it's well-made enough to warrant watching.Artist Geoffrey Carroll (Humphrey Bogart) marries Sally Morton (Barbara Stanwyck) after his first wife's death. Their marriage quickly grows strained, as Geoffrey turns his attentions to Cecily Latham (Ann Smith), an American socialite who becomes his model. Sally grows ill, stoking her suspicions about Geoffrey's affections and the fate of his first wife. Further complicating things are Penny (Patrick O'Moore), Sally's inquisitive ex-lover who helps unravel the mystery.
The main knock against The Two Mrs. Carrolls is its similarity to similar thrillers, from Hitchcock's Rebecca and Suspicion to George Cukor's Gaslight. Scenarist Thomas Job adapts a Martin Vale play, yet its story seems unoriginal: the new wife distraught by her husband's past, poisoning with milk and leading her to distrust her perception. There's even a hint of Bluebeard, with Geoffrey painting grotesque, doom-laden portraits of his suitors. This marks every twist as predictable, diffusing the dramatic potential.
One might assume that Humphrey Bogart and Barbara Stanwyck make a dynamite combination. The stars generate fair chemistry in their romantic scenes, but their individual performances aren't impressive. Stanwyck emotes gamely in a fluffed English accent, without the toughness or sensuality marking her best roles. Bogart reverts to his early gangster style, more intimidating thug than mad artist, despite laughable eye-bulging to simulate craziness. Their performances seem weirdly out of sync with the material, effective in moments but not amounting to compelling wholes.
Yet Godfrey's direction helps The Two Mrs. Carrolls retain an even keel. The set pieces swim in gothic atmosphere, with photographer J. Peverell Marley casting interiors and rain-swept streets in foreboding shadows. George murdering a blackmailer (Barry Bernard) or Sally discovering her portrait play drama to the hilt, underscored by Franz Waxman's bombastic score. It culminates in an effective confrontation between George and Sally, their struggles underscored by a raging thunderstorm.
If the leads aren't exceptional, there are effective supporting players. Nigel Bruce overplays his bumbling doctor, but Alexis Smith's iciness threatens to steal the movie from Stanwyck. Ann Carter, late of Curse of the Cat People, gives a winning turn as Geoffrey's precocious daughter.
The Two Mrs. Carrolls is engaging, yet seems full of wasted potential. Two great stars and excellent direction flounder amidst a weak, and derivative story. Viewers must decide whether the grace notes redeem its weaker passages.
