Bluebeard (1944)

Austrian-born director Edgar G. Ulmer was one of the few emigres to Hollywood in the thirties who did not convert his experience into a big career.  He spent his working life making B-movies for the poorest of the studios, yet everything he touched  was memorable.  He brought a real European sensibility to the most mundane projects; considering that there was probably very little money for this film, he does wonders with whatever was available, using camera angles and expressionistic shadows for effect.  John Carradine, he of the melodious voice and increasingly hammy roles, had one of his few leads here as a serial strangler and he plays it more or less straight. I've wanted to see this movie for a long time and I am so pleased to have finally caught up with it.