Hangover Square (1945)

In the bustling heart of early 20th-century London, George Harvey Bone stands at the precipice of musical greatness. A gifted composer, George is consumed by the creation of a piano concerto, a work of art that promises to cement his place in the annals of musical history. However, his relentless pursuit of perfection is marred by bouts of blackouts, triggered by dissonant sounds, which transport him to unfamiliar corners of the city and leave him with no memory of his actions. Under the wing of distinguished conductor Sir Henry Chapman, George's concerto is destined for a grand soirée, much to the delight of Chapman's daughter, Barbara. She harbors a deep affection for George and unwavering faith in his talent. Yet, the looming shadow of George's "black little moods" threatens to eclipse this budding romance and his burgeoning career. Desperate for relief, George seeks the counsel of Dr. Allan Middleton, a Scotland Yard mind expert. Heeding the doctor's advice, George attempts to assimilate with the ordinary folk, an endeavor that introduces him to the enchanting, yet deceitful, music hall dancer, Netta Longdon. Netta exploits George's musical brilliance for her own gain, leading him down a path of torment that plunges him into an abyss of ever-darkening moods. His blackouts become more frequent, and the line between George's reality and the forgotten events of his lost time blur alarmingly. As George grapples with his spiraling sanity, he finds himself accused of a string of murders happening during his blackouts. Amidst the backdrop of London's special holiday, the revelation of Netta's impending nuptials with a theatrical producer triggers a cascade of violins in his room, driving George towards another blackout. As the city revels, George must confront the unsettling truth of his condition, while striving to complete his magnum opus, his piano concerto. Hangover Square unfolds as a haunting symphony of psychological suspense, where love, ambition, and insanity play out their discordant melody, and the echoes of a man's struggle with his own mind resonate long after the final notes have been played.

Hangover Square is a thriller movie featuring Laird Cregar.

Hangover Square is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.