“High Wall” (1947) starring Robert Taylor, Audrey Trotter and Herbert Marshall / Z-View

High Wall (1947)

Director:  Curtis Bernhardt

Screenplay: Sydney Boehm, Lester Cole, story by Alan R. Clark, Bradbury Foote based on HIGH WALL by Alan R. Clark and the play adapted by Bradbury Foote

Stars: Robert Taylor, Audrey Totter, Herbert Marshall, H.B. Warner, Warner Anderson, Moroni Olsen, John Ridgely, Morris Ankrum, Elisabeth Risdon and Vince Barnett.

Tagline:  So tense! So taut! It closes in on you like a high wall!

The Plot…

Steven Kenet (Taylor) needs an operation for a brain injury he suffered in the war.  Kenet is currently being held in the county psychiatric hospital.  Police believe Kenet murdered his wife.  Kenet needs psychiatric testing to see if he’s sane enough to stand trial.

Kenet initially doesn’t know if he killed his wife or not. As he regains bits of his memory, Kenet begins to believe he’s innocent.  But how can he prove his innocence if he’s locked up in the looney bin?  If he could only get Dr. Ann Lorrison (Trotter) to believe he’s not a killer…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The High Wall takes some daring angles for a film made in the 40s.  The hero starting to strangle his wife.  A war hero’s wife cheating on him and caring nothing for her child. The killer admitting it to Kenet to incite him. Kudos for being daring.

Contrast this with the easy way Kenet gets in and out of custody plus the killer’s “confession” and we end up with a mixed bag.  Still I liked High Wall.

High Wall (1947) rates 3 of 5 stars.