Movie review - "Cast a Dark Shadow" (1955) *** (warning: spoilers)

Dirk Bogarde didn't get serious critical acclaim until the early 60s but he's superb here as a lower middle class man married to a rich elder woman who he murders for money, then sets about wedding another type (Margaret Lockwood). Lockwood is nearly unrecognisable - the 40s glamorous favourite totally immerses herself as a lower class sort of cockney, and while I missed the old good looks she's very convincing.

Bogarde is in his element - sneering, arrogant, capable of charm, possibly gay (is that a muscle magazine he's reading in the resort?), clever, a very self-aware psychotic. It's terrific work, very much in the vein of his seducers in The Sleeping Tiger and The Servant.

The piece is very snobby in a way - all the working class characters are fairly stupid (the maid, Kathleen Harrison, is a moron, Lockwood is hoodwinked; the heroes are a middle class detective and lady Kay Walsh). Lewis Gilbert directs with verve, with memorable moments like the opening fun ride. The final crash where Bogarde dies is a bit ridiculous and feels tacked on.