The Arnelo Affair (1947)

In the heart of 1947's film noir, "The Arnelo Affair," Anne Parkson, the wife of a successful yet distracted lawyer, Ted, surrenders to the intoxicating allure of a night-club owner, Tony Arnello. A client of her husband's, Tony is a character bathed in shadows, his dangerous charisma an irresistible magnet for the neglected Anne. This being a product of MGM, a studio known for its pursuit of broad appeal, the affair is delicately suggested, a smoky wisp of scandal that hangs in the air. Tony, however, is not merely a charming rogue. Beneath the veneer of his smooth exterior, he is a ruthless villain. When his other lover, Claire Lorrison, meets a tragic end, Anne's world is drenched in suspicion. With her compact found near the crime scene and the echo of Arnello's threat looming over her, she finds herself ensnared in a deadly game of deceit, holding the truth of his guilt like a ticking time bomb. Known for his innovative "stream of consciousness" techniques, director Arch Oboler paints a psychological tapestry, inviting the audience into the depths of Anne's turmoil. Her internal monologues, though seemingly a soliloquy to herself, serve as a haunting soundtrack, revealing her teetering on the edge of despair. The option of suicide flits across her mind, a dark butterfly of thought that is quickly dismissed. This is, after all, an MGM picture, where even the bleakest narratives find a glimmer of hope. "The Arnelo Affair" weaves a tale of love, betrayal and murder, a chilling labyrinth where the lines of innocence and guilt blur. Will Anne extricate herself from this deadly web, or will she be the sacrificial lamb in this sinister game? The film leaves you teetering on the edge of your seat, the taste of intrigue lingering long after the credits roll.

The Arnelo Affair is a crime movie featuring Dean Stockwell and directed by Arch Oboler.

The Arnelo Affair is currently streaming on TCM.