Hangover Square

Reuniting the cast and crew from Twentieth Century Fox's hit thriller The Lodger (1944), Hangover Square (1945) works a similar bewitching magic, fusing noir and horror influences to stirring effect. Classical composer George Harvey Bone (Laird Cregar) is on the cusp of glory in turn-of-the-century London, struggling to finish writing the grand concerto that will surely win him international fame. But the artist suffers from periodic blackouts in which he loses most of his memory, which has hampered his pursuit of musical greatness. For support he turns to lady friend Barbara Chapman (Faye Marlowe) and Dr. Allan Middleton (George Sanders), the latter a noted psychologist/criminologist at Scotland Yard who seeks to ascertain if George might have been responsible for the recent slaying of a corrupt pawnbroker. The musician's innocence is temporarily confirmed by Middleton, but George is in fact suffering from severe schizophrenia and is subject to a violent fugue state brought on by sudden loud noises. Directed by John Brahm, Hangover Square—which also features Bernard Herrmann's haunting melodies—was the final role for character actor Cregar, who turns in a terrific, shuddering performance as the mentally torn anti-hero. Making its Blu-ray debut with extras including two audio commentaries (one by film critic Steve Haberman and actress Marlowe; the other by film critic Richard Schickel), a featurette on Cregar, and a vintage radio performance of Hangover Square (featuring Vincent Price, costar Linda Darnell, and Marlowe), this is highly recommended. (J. Cruz)