One of a handful of films Maria Montez made in Europe towards the end of her life. This one had a Hollywood director, John Brahm, and co stars, Faye Emerson and Paul Christian, and is close to the sort of stuff she made for Universal - a swashbuckling aventure tale, set in 1575 Venice.
Christian is the hero, a Robin Hood style naval officer fighting an evil member of the inquisition who seeks to rule Venice. Emerson is the daughter of an admiral killed by the baddy who is loved by Christian, who is loved by tavern girl Montez.
Montez is animated and lively here - playing a tavern girl loosened her up. She doesn't get the guy, which is a change - and probably a mistake, because Montez's character is active whereas Marlowe, while pretty, hangs out by pillars Christian is a dashing hero - he made a few Hollywood films.
It was shot in Italy, in Venice and looks terrific - well the buildings and canals do. It's very handsome, even if the print of the film I saw was poor.
It's got some of that Italian weirdness - lots of dubbing, some characters have Italian accents, continuity seems a little slap-dash.
Brahm was known for his film noir and the film has gloomy cinematography - it's in black and white when colour would have been better. But it has been stylishly shot.
There's a full on sequence when Montez is tortured via inquisition. It's got energy and pace.
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