In turn of the century London, scullery maid Lily Watkins (Jean Simmons) startles her employer, Stephen Lowery (Stewart Granger), by revealing that she knows he’s responsible for his wife’s recent death. Lily boldly insists that Stephen’s wife left her jewels to her, and then appropriates her clothes and other items. Though Stephen is angered, he allows Lily’s behavior and even starts an affair with her. Soon frustrated by her increasing hold over him, Stephen lashes out, but the ensuing turn of events stuns him.
Stewart Granger is the recently widowed Londoner Stephen Lowry in this lovely little Victorian Noir. His housemaid Lily (played by Jean Simmons) confronts Lowry with the knowledge that the former Mrs. Lowry was poisoned, securing herself a better position among the household staff, and eventually, in Lowry’s arms. Eventually, the threat of blackmail is too much for Lowry, and both he and Lily struggle to gain the control of the situation – with fatal results.
Redolent with the menacing Victorian atmosphere of melodramas such as Gaslight (1944) and The Lodger (1944). – TCM
Starring William Hartnell, Stewart Granger, Finlay Currie, Jean Simmons, Ronald Squire.