1945, 103 min., b&w

Credits: Walter Wanger, producer; Fritz Lang, director; screenplay by Dudley Nichols, based on the play La Chienne by Georges de la Fourcharliere

Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, Dan Duryea, Rosalind Ivan

Summary: Christopher Cross is a shy cashier (Robinson) married to a relentless harridan (Ivan) who constantly belittles him. His only solace is in his painting and he yearns for a younger woman who respects and loves him. The girl of his dreams proves to be his undoing. His generous and kindly nature does not recognize the schemer in both Kitty March (Bennett) and her boyfriend Johnny (Duryea). After he leases an apartment for her, the Kitty and Johnny sell the paintings he has given her, claiming that she is the artist, and continue their affair. Cross eventually discovers their betrayal and kills the girl. Luckily, the police pick Johnny as their suspect and in a surreal trial all the witnesses' evidence nails the lid on his coffin. Cross does not escape his guilt as a bizarre punishment becomes his fate.