A Woman's Face (1941)

Joan Crawford ("Anna") is on top form in this adept Cukorian adaptation of Francis de Croisset's play. Set in Sweden, she is a young girl scarred after an accident in her home many years earlier. Feeling herself rejected by society, she turns to petty blackmail with "Barring" (Conrad Veidt) and alights on the cheating wife "Vera" (Isa Massen) of plastic surgeon "Gustaf" (Melvyn Douglas). Whilst amidst her extortion attempts, she is apprehended by the doctor who mistakes her for a burglar. Persuaded not to call the police by his wife, "Gustaf" turns his attention to her disfigurement, and offers to help... Meantime, "Barring" is starting to run out of credit, so tells her of his wealthy uncle who has only a young grandson to inherit his fortune. Should anything happen to the young boy, then it would all be his - or, theirs! She pretends to be a governess and heads to look after the young lad. Will she carry out their dastardly plan and dispose of their obstacle to wealth and happiness? It's told by way of a trial at which "Anna" is the accused, so for most of the film we are not entirely sure who has been killed - or, indeed, who did any killing. The method by which each "witness" gives their statement fills in parts of the jigsaw without ever spoiling the suspense. Veidt is great as the baddie - as usual, and Richard Nichols is engaging as the mischievous four year old object of their ploy "Lars-Erik". Crawford's characterisation is strong and layered - we begin to see a little more of this flawed woman as the story progresses - even eliciting a touch of unlikely sympathy. This is a compelling drama, well paced with plenty of meat on it's bones and well worth a watch.