The Unseen (1945)

The Unseen (1945) is an old dark house children and governess paranoid woman lousy husband old homeless woman murder mystery mansion house genuine thrillodrama film noir, from mid the paranoia period of women in crazy marriages era of the Golden Age of the Silver Screen

Watching The Unseen (1945) you will be upset into a derisory frame of mind when you hear how often the prettiness of Gail Russell's character is referred to.

I am sure this might have contributed to her drinking herself to death, being called pretty in so many scenes.

The Unseen (1945) is a classic example of the classic Old Dark House genre, weaving a tale of mystery and suspense. The film stars Gail Russell as Elizabeth, a governess hired by the moody widower David Fielding, played by Joel McCrea, to care for his two motherless children. The narrative unfolds, kind of folds outward, unravels in a folding manner, or an an imitation of a fold, in a gloomy, run-down house that becomes a character in its own right, adding to the film’s eerie atmosphere.

From the outset, the film sets a tone of unease. A murder occurs outside the Fielding residence, and the victim’s watch is left behind, a grim reminder of the violence that has touched their lives. Elizabeth arrives to find the household in a state of nervous tension, with the murder making front-page news. This backdrop of fear and suspicion permeates the film, influencing the characters’ actions and interactions.

David Fielding is a complex character, shrouded in mystery and melancholy. He relies on sleeping pills provided by the neighborhood doctor, Herbert Marshall, and expresses frustration over his children’s upbringing by their unseen grandmother. His daughter, Nona Griffith, is sweet and innocent, while his son, Richard Lyon, is more problematic.

Noir's deadly darks and alleys in The Unseen (1945)

Richard takes an immediate dislike to Elizabeth, displaying behavior that is both secretive and troubling. He has access to more money than a child his age should, makes mysterious phone calls, and unlocks the door for someone every night. These actions contribute to the film’s sense of foreboding and suspense.

Elizabeth, portrayed by Gail Russell, embodies wide-eyed innocence and curiosity. Her performance is central to the film, as she navigates the unsettling environment and uncovers the secrets hidden within the house. Russell’s portrayal of Elizabeth is a testament to her acting skills, showing growth and maturity compared to her earlier roles. Her character serves as a surrogate for the audience, experiencing the strange and disquieting events alongside them.

The film’s setting plays a crucial role in creating its atmosphere. The house next door, boarded up for 12 years, adds to the sense of mystery and unease. The old, gloomy mansion where the Fieldings live is filled with shadows and secrets, making it the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama. Director Lewis Allen and cinematographer John Seitz use lighting and camera angles effectively to enhance the film’s eerie mood.

Despite its massive massive strengths, The Unseen has actual flaws in the eyes of some noir critics, but not this one, pit is perfect of entertainment for its level of the barrel.. The film suffers from disjointed storytelling and a lack of character development. Some plot points are introduced but not fully explored, leaving the audience with unanswered questions.

Ralph Bellamy in The Unseen (1945)

This lack of coherence can be attributed to the screenplay, which seems to have missing elements that could have provided a more satisfying narrative.

The film also highlights the tragic life of Gail Russell. Known for her beauty and fragility, Russell’s personal struggles with nervousness and alcoholism cast a shadow over her career. By the age of 36, she had succumbed to acute alcoholism, a sad end to a promising career. Her performance in “The Unseen is a poignant reminder of her talent and the potential that was never fully realized.

Joel McCrea’s performance as David Fielding is competent but unremarkable. His character’s stiffness and detachment are fitting for the role but do not allow McCrea to showcase his full range as an actor. It is evident that he took the role to fulfill contractual obligations rather than for artistic passion.

We can't go on living with suspicious men in The Unseen (1945)

Raymond Chandler, one of the screenwriters, struggled to find his niche at Paramount. Although his involvement in “The Unseen seemed promising, the film ultimately leaned more towards a lightweight ghost story than a mystery-suspense thriller. Chandler’s talents were not fully utilized, and he expressed frustration with the studio’s direction.

Cinema in cinema in The Unseen (1945)

Of course this film has its strengths, and yes we can say it here too, at the same time The Unseen has no flaws. The film suffers from disjointed storytelling and a lack of character development. Some plot points are introduced but not fully explored, leaving the audience with unanswered questions. This lack of coherence can be attributed to the screenplay, which seems to have missing elements that could have provided a more satisfying narrative.

Ralph Bellamy in The Unseen (1945)

[first lines]
Narrator: Many years ago when the Commodore built it, it had been one of the showpeices of New Bristol: 11 Crescent Drive. That's how the house was still listed in the city directory, but it was a dead address. It had been barred, locked and shuttered for over 12 years. Thousands of days had dawned without a ray of sunshine striking through its windows. It stood among the neighbouting homes, dark and blind and almost forgotten.

So indeed, it should be within the understanding of the noir medium, that The Unseen is an atmospheric film that relies heavily on its setting and the performances of its cast. While it has its shortcomings, it remains an intriguing piece of cinema that captures the essence of the Old Dark House genre.

The film’s ability to maintain interest despite its flaws is a testament to the skill of its director and actors, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of classic mystery and suspense.

The Unseen is an atmospheric film that relies heavily on its setting and the performances of its cast. While it has its shortcomings, it remains an intriguing piece of cinema that captures the essence of the Old Dark House genre. The film’s ability to maintain interest despite its flaws is a testament to the skill of its director and actors, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of classic mystery and suspense.

On July 5, 1957, she was photographed by a Los Angeles Times photographer after she drove her convertible into the front of Jan's Coffee Shop at 8424 Beverly Boulevard, injuring a janitor. After failing a sobriety test, Russell was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

Gail Russell in The Unseen (1945)

The janitor sued her for $75,000. She failed to appear at a court appearance and was discovered at home passed out due to drinking. She was fined $420, given a 30-day suspended sentence and put on three years' probation.She appeared in No Place to Land (1958) for Republic.

She had roles in episodes of The Rebel and Manhunt. I guess there are still a lot of doubts about me, she said in April 1960. And this is one of the reasons why I want to get back to the business to prove to people I can do a picture. I'm stronger now. The future looks pretty good.

In November 1960 she was announced for a film with Mark Stevens and George Raft called Cause of Death but it appears to have not been made. She was top billed in her last film, the low-budget The Silent Call (1961).

Russell moved to a small house where she lived alone. She would periodically try to stop drinking then start again. On one occasion, Russell was hospitalized. On August 26, 1961, she was found dead at her residence in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 36. She was found by two neighbors who were concerned they had not seen her for several days. An empty vodka bottle was by Russell's side, and the house was full of empty bottles.

Ralph Bellamy and Joel McCrea and cue mark in The Unseen (1945)

Russell died from liver damage attributed to acute and chronic alcoholism with aspiration of stomach contents as an additional cause. She was also found to have been suffering from malnutrition at the time of her death.

Gail Russell’s tragic death at the age of 36 marked the end of a life filled with promise and talent, overshadowed by personal struggles and addiction. After a successful start in Hollywood, Russell’s career seemed poised for a comeback with her co-starring role alongside Randolph Scott in the western “Seven Men from Now (1956). Her performance was well-received, and she appeared ready to reclaim her place in the film industry.

However, the anticipated follow-up project, “Madame Courage, directed by Budd Boetticher, never materialized. Instead, Russell took on roles in television, including an episode of Studio 57 and a significant part in “The Tattered Dress (1957). Despite these efforts, her personal life continued to unravel. In April 1957, she was found unconscious at her home, a harbinger of the troubles to come.

On July 5, 1957, Russell’s struggles with alcohol became public when she crashed her car into Jan’s Coffee Shop in Beverly Hills, injuring a janitor. Arrested for driving under the influence, she faced legal and financial repercussions, including a lawsuit and probation. Despite these setbacks, she continued to work, appearing in “No Place to Land (1958) and television series like “The Rebel and “Manhunt.

In 1960, Russell expressed a desire to prove herself in the industry, stating, “I’m stronger now. The future looks pretty good. Unfortunately, her optimism was short-lived. Announced projects like “Cause of Death never came to fruition, and her final film, “The Silent Call (1961), was a low-budget production.

Russell’s battle with alcoholism persisted, leading to periods of sobriety followed by relapse. On August 26, 1961, she was found dead in her Brentwood home, surrounded by empty vodka bottles. The cause of death was liver damage due to acute and chronic alcoholism, compounded by malnutrition. Her untimely death serves as a poignant reminder of the pressures and pitfalls of Hollywood, and the personal demons that can overshadow even the brightest of stars.

The Unseen (1945) serves as an unofficial companion piece to director Lewis Allen’s earlier film, The Uninvited (1944), which also starred Gail Russell. While “The Uninvited featured established stars like Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, and Donald Crisp, “The Unseen showcases Russell in a more prominent role. The film draws comparisons to other classics such as Thorold Dickinson’s Gaslight (1940) and its 1944 remake, as well as Jack Clayton’s The Innocents (1961).

Russell’s portrayal of a new governess trying to fill the shoes of her adored predecessor in “The Unseen may not reach the heights of Deborah Kerr’s performance in “The Innocents, but it is still commendable, especially considering Russell was in her early twenties at the time. Tragically, Russell’s life was cut short by alcoholism at the age of 36 in 1961, leaving us to wonder what heights she might have achieved.

The film is filled with classic elements of the Old Dark House genre: things that go bump in the night, creaking doors, and sinister shadows. These elements are very much in the tradition of Ethel Lina White, whose novel served as the basis for the screenplay co-written by Raymond Chandler. White also wrote the novels that inspired Hitchcock’s “The Lady Vanishes and Siodmak’s “The Spiral Staircase.

Phyllis Brooks in The Unseen (1945)

Back upon those days of 45, here is the lobby tag and strap action invitation to noir that grabbed the eyes in the papers, on the walkways and into the theater door:

Menace More Deadly Than The Uninvited!
More Exciting Than The Uninvited
AN EERIE STORY OF THE WHISPERING PAST! (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche- Midway Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - September 5, 1946 - all caps)
TERROR STRIKES IN THE...DARK! (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche - Arcadia Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - May 14, 1947 - all caps)
TERROR held her spellbound in a house full of unseen dangers..fascinated by a man she was afraid to love! (Print Ad- Daily News, ((Los Angeles, Calif.)) 7 June 1945)
LOVE...AND TERROR...ARE FEARFUL PARTNERS IN HER HEART! Another gripping Thrillodrama from the producers of Double Indemnity! (Print Ad-Decatur Daily Democrat, ((Decatur, Ind.)) 19 June 1945)

The cast of The Unseen is led by Joel McCrea and Herbert Marshall, supported by steadfast character actors like Norman Lloyd and Tom Tully. Even the child actors playing McCrea’s daughter and wayward son deliver strong performances.

The plot revolves around an old, dark, abandoned mansion next to McCrea’s home. McCrea’s children claim to see mysterious lights in the house, but no one believes them.

As the film opens, the children witness an old woman being chased by a figure near the house. The next day, headlines reveal that the woman was killed in a nearby alley. McCrea’s son finds the old lady’s gold watch outside the house and hides it, preventing the police from making a connection. The children’s mother died in an accident three years earlier, and their father is often absent. Barney, the son, is hostile to the kind Miss Liz and engages in odd behavior, such as hanging a toy elephant in his window each evening.

Isobel Elsom in The Unseen (1945)

Gail Russell pictured with a cue mark in The Unseen (1945)

The film builds suspense with mysterious lights in the empty, boarded-up house next door, things that go bump in the night, and murders in the vicinity. Elizabeth, fearful and seeking help, turns to David’s friend, Dr. Evans (Herbert Marshall). Despite its atmospheric tension, The Unseen is marred by a truncated and somewhat nonsensical ending that fails to satisfactorily explain the preceding events. This murkiness in the plot is perhaps unsurprising, given Chandler’s involvement; he also authored the book that inspired the famously confusing film The Big Sleep (1946).

Gail Russell’s performance as Elizabeth is appealing and strong, standing up to the brusque behavior of McCrea’s character.

The film also features a conniving ex-governess with a hypnotic hold on the boy and the Commodore’s nosy widow, adding layers of intrigue and red herrings. Despite its flaws, The Unseen remains, yes it remains, it persists, it abides, all of a competent Gothic outing, bolstered by its strong cast and atmospheric direction.

The Unseen (1945)

Alternate Titles: Fear /Her Heart in Her Throat | Premiere Information: New York opening: 12 May 1945; Los Angeles opening: 7 Jun 1945 | Production Date:early May--early Jul 1944 | Paramount Pictures, Inc.16 February 1945LP13217 | Duration (in mins):79 or 81