“Where Danger Lives” (1950) starring Robert Mitchum / Z-View

Where Danger Lives (1950)

Director:  John Farrow

Screenplay: Charles Bennett, story by Leo Rosten

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Claude Rains, Faith Domergue, Maureen O’Sullivan, Ralph Dumke, Harry Shannon, Philip Van Zandt and Jack Kelly.

Tagline: She’s tempting to look at – dangerous to know!

The Plot…

Dr. Jeff Cameron (Mitchum) is about to leave work when an attempted suicide named Margo Lannington (Domergue) is brought in.  Jeff saves the young woman.  In short order, Jeff falls in love.  Suddenly one evening, Margo says that her father is taking her on a trip out of the country the next day.  Jeff attempts to talk Margo into not going.  She says she has no choice and leaves Jeff in the restaurant. After several drinks Jeff decides to ask Margo’s father for permission to marry her.

Jeff arrives at Lannington’s mansion.  He is invited in by Margo’s father (Reins) who listens to Jeff speak about his whirlwind romance of Margo.  Margo enters the room and is surprised to see Jeff.  She tells him to leave.  Jeff says, that he’s there to ask her father for permission to marry her.  Margo’s father says, “I don’t know why you kept calling me her father.  I’m her husband.”

Jeff is shocked. Margo says she loves Jeff, but he’s upset because she lied to him.  As he walks out, Jeff hears Margo scream.  He runs back in.  Margo is on the floor.  She’s obviously been struck by her husband.  Jeff and the husband struggle.  Jeff is struck several times with fireplace poker, but manages to knock her husband unconscious.

Jeff leaves the room to get a bandage for his head.  When Jeff returns he’s shocked to find that Margo’s husband isn’t knocked out.  He’s dead.  Jeff wants to call the police, but Margo convinces him that they’d never believe it was self-defense.  They had been seen dating and no court would believe their story.

Reluctantly, Jeff leaves with Margo.  Their plan is to cross into Mexico and escape.  But like the best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Before Jeff meets Margo, he’s dating Julie Dorn (O’Sullivan).  Despite dumping her, going on the run and being wanted for murder, she immediately takes him back.  It didn’t ring true, but it did give the movie a happy ending.

Maureen O’Sullivan was director, John Farrow’s wife. Speaking of John Farrow, I’m a fan of other movies that he directed.  They include: 5 Came Back, The Big Clock, Hondo, Back from Eternity (a remake of 5 Came Back) and The Unholy Wife.

Mitchum’s star power, Claude Rein’s small (but important) role and a nice twist at the end which gets Mitchum’s character off the hook for murder elevate this film.

Where Danger Lives (1950) rates 3 of 5 stars.