Human Desire

Adapted from the same Emile Zola novel previously filmed by Jean Renoir in La Bete Humaine, Lang’s gripping thriller has Glenn Ford as train engineer Jeff, just home from the Korean War. He’s instantly attracted to passenger Vicki (Gloria Grahame), not yet realizing that she’s the abused wife of Jeff’s alcoholic railroad yard superior Carl (Broderick Crawford) - or that Vicki was just entangled in a jealousy-fueled murder committed by Carl. As Jeff and Vicki embark on a steamy affair, she tells him about the crime, and Carl’s blackmail hold on her. If only Carl could be taken out of the picture. The only thing that’s not pitch black in this noir are the ethical shades of gray inhabited by all its characters. Yet its placid small town setting also offers a unique perspective on the genre, with Lang uncovering sinister secrets on these quiet streets that could rival any big city immorality. (Eureka Entertainment)