Cast A Dark Shadow - A Perfect British Film Noir

Cast A Dark Shadow is a cleverly written, wonderfully acted British Film Noir from 1955, starring Dirk Bogarde as a charming but dangerous gigolo who meets his match in fiery widow Margaret Lockwood.

Edward (Teddy) Bare thinks he'll receive his older wife Moni's (played divinely by Mona Washbourne) fortune if she dies, by rights of English law. But when he finds out that she's made a will, he does her in before she can sign it and makes her death look like an accident. Her lawyer (Robert Flemyng) suspects Teddy but can't prove anything. Sadly, for Teddy, the lawyer tells him there was a first will, leaving Moni's sister Dora her fortune.

Teddy takes it in stride and heads off to a beach resort to hunt for better prospects. He meets Freda, a world-wise widow, bored with life, and they form a partnership more than a marriage. Teddy takes her back to Moni's house, where Emmie the housekeeper (the delightful Kathleen Harrison) who adored Moni and Teddy, welcomes her as her new mistress.

Then Charlotte Young (Kay Walsh) shows up, a very rich, beautiful young woman who seems a better mark for Teddy's schemes. But Freda won't have any of it and plans on taking Teddy and Emmie away. Teddy, however, has plans of his own.

I won't spoil the ending. It's explosive! But if you ever get a chance to watch it, you'll see what I mean.