More flicker than flame but still has its moments

Movie begins exceptionally well - good noirish mood with cinematography and production polish well above the Republic norm. But all too soon things head into tiresome soap opera territory. Vera Ralston, never a compelling presence, flirts with adequacy throughout, occasionally a little above but more often just below. And the overabundance of narration doesn't help. Still, the supporting cast is stellar; it's always great to renew acquaintance with treasurable talents like Broderick Crawford, Victor Sen Yung, Hattie McDaniel, Blanche Yurka and Henry Travers. And Constance Dowling positively sizzles as a gold-digging bad girl. She even gets to perform a hot musical number and does it like Gilda on steroids.