The Female Animal ** (1958, Hedy Lamarr, Jane Powell, Jan Sterling, George Nader, James Gleason, Jerry Paris, Ann Doran, Gregg Palmer) – Classic Movie Review 7735

‘It is said that when a woman fights for a man, she is like an ANIMAL!’ Director Harry Keller’s kitsch 1957 film noir romantic melodrama The Female Animal stars Hedy Lamarr in her last movie, retiring far too early at the age of 44.

It tells a soppy story by producer Albert Zugsmith, about an ageing movie star called Vanessa Windsor (Lamarr) who takes hunky film extra Chris Farley (George Nader) on as her caretaker and then her lover after he saves her life in a crashing spotlight accident on set.

Conflict flares up when Lamarr’s sexy, alcoholic adult adopted daughter Penny Windsor (Jane Powell) and ex-actress Lily Frayne (Jan Sterling) are also attracted to the irresistible George Nader.

Despite the good cast, neither the acting nor the writing show much very much conviction or wit in this mostly rather sluggish, hollow and outmoded outing. Russell Metty’s black and white and widescreen images are a saving grace. Another is Sterling and Nader, who give the film’s best, most persuasive performances.

The Female Animal is directed by Harry Keller, runs 92 minutes, is made and released by Universal, is is written by Robert Hill, shot in black and white and widescreen by Russell Metty, produced by Albert Zugsmith, and scored by Hans J Salter.

Also in the cast are James Gleason, Jerry Paris, Ann Doran, Gregg Palmer, Mabel Albertson, Yvonne Peattie, Casey Adams, Douglas Evans, Aram Katcher, Almira Sessions and Isabel Dawn.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7735

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