The Dark Corner(1946) May 2026

Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, William Bendix, and Mark Stevens. Studio: 20th Century Fox.

Today, it is regarded as a "Grade A" example of film noir. It currently holds a 100% "Fresh" rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes .

A vulnerable and somewhat cynical hero typical of the noir genre. Reception and Legacy The Dark Corner(1946)

A departure from her later comedic persona, she plays a "Girl Friday" with "street smarts". Ball reportedly found the production difficult due to Hathaway’s demanding directing style.

Galt becomes entangled in a complex frame-up involving (Clifton Webb), a wealthy, effete art gallery owner. Helping him navigate this "dark corner" is his loyal and resourceful secretary, Kathleen Stewart (Lucille Ball), who eventually goes beyond her job description to save him from a murder charge. Key Characters & Performances Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, William Bendix, and Mark Stevens

The story follows (Mark Stevens), a private investigator who has recently moved to New York after serving time for a crime he didn't commit in San Francisco. He soon discovers he is being followed by a mysterious "White Suit" (William Bendix), leading him to suspect his former partner, Tony Jardine.

Despite being an "A-picture" with a $1.2 million production cost, it was not a commercial success at the time, grossing approximately $1 million. It currently holds a 100% "Fresh" rating from

Reviewers frequently praise the film's "painterly rendering" and its ability to blend the "urban and the urbane," contrasting gritty PI offices with opulent art galleries.