As the opening credits roll, newly wedded Ida Lupino (as Deborah Chandler) desperately tries to stop herself from crashing her car. In an attempted murder, the brakes have been disabled. We see the car drive off a North Carolina bridge and listen to Ms. Lupino's ghostly narration. But don't assume she's dead, or that the accident ends the story… After the prologue fails to uncover a dead body, we begin earlier. Inheriting a profitable mill upon the subsequently suspicious death of her father, Lupino marries the plant's general manager Stephen McNally (as Selden Clark). Apparently, they were a long-term couple; the wedding is the first of several implausible story developments. Lupino asks, "Why didn't I see it?" Don't know...

When they arrive at Mr. McNally's mountain cabin for a honeymoon, sexy Peggy Dow (as Patricia Monahan) is waiting. She reveals herself as McNally's "little business trips" lover and is understandably furious with Lupino's presence. After husband and lover smack each other around, Lupino decides she wants the marriage annulled, but McNally refuses. Lupino runs off, changes her name to "Ann Carter" and tries to hide from her homicidal husband. She meets handsome and helpful Howard Duff (as Keith Ramsey),but he isn't sure who is telling the truth. Beautiful black-and-white photography by William Daniels, effective direction from Michael Gordon and engaging performances make "Woman in Hiding" well worth following.

******* Woman in Hiding (12/27/49) Michael Gordon ~ Ida Lupino, Howard Duff, Stephen McNally, Peggy Dow

Ida Lupino (Deborah Chandler Clark),Howard Duff (Keith Ramsey),Stephen McNally (Seldon Clark),Peggy Dow (Patricia Monahan),John Litel (John Chandler),Taylor Holmes (Lucius Maury),Peggy Castle (waitress),Michael Gordon (man with locker key),Irving Bacon (Pop),Don Beddoe, Joe Besser (salesmen),Stanford Jolley.

Director: MICHAEL GORDON. Screenplay: Oscar Saul. Adapted by Roy Huggins from a magazine serial by James R. Webb. Photography: William Daniels. Film editor: Milton Carruth. Music: Frank Skinner. Art directors: Bernie Herzbrun, Robert Clatworthy. Producer: Michel Kraike.

Copyright 17 March 1950 by Universal. New York opening at Criterion: 22 February. U.K. release: 27 February. Aust.: 27 October. 92 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Bride flees her murderous husband.

COMMENT: Photographed by master illusionist William Daniels in true film noir style (reflected even in the movie's still photos),Woman in Hiding is an oddly neglected little masterpiece. True, director Michael Gordon does not rate highly with current cineastes, but his thrillers are all worthy of attention and this one rates as his best. Action highs are staged in a most imaginative manner, and all the players come across brilliantly.

'Woman in Hiding', when hearing of it through a fellow user recommendation, has the sort of concept that immediately had me sold. Being a fan of the genre (a mix of film noir and crime) and that type of film. While not considering Michael Gordon (my first exposure to him being 'Pillow Talk' and 'Move Over Darling') one of my favourite directors, he didn't fare too badly if not exceptionally in the genre. Both Ida Lupino and Steven McNally have been great in other films.

There may be many other films of the genre or with not too dissimiliar stories, both before and since, that are a lot better than 'Woman in Hiding'. It is still a good example of how good Gordon was at directing film noirs when the material was good, which it generally is here despite being imperfect, and how far he had come on from his "B-movie" period in the early 40s. Both Lupino and McNally come over well, though to me both have been better.

Am going to start with what 'Woman in Hiding' didn't do so well. Some of the story is on the ridiculous side and strains credibility, especially towards the end such as Deborah being that trusting of Patricia. Likewise with the rather vague and foolish motivations and decision making that make the characters at times seem idiotic.

Did feel that the hotel convention scene was not as suspenseful as it should have been and came as too busy and silly.

Having said all of this, 'Woman in Hiding' is a tightly plotted film and does have a dark and tense atmosphere a lot of the time. Did get creeps and chills a fair few times. Despite it going downhill a bit from the hotel convention scene, it does pick up in the climax. Which was not a predictable one and was genuinely anxiety-inducing. Gordon directs in an assured fashion and the script intrigues and entertains enough. All the cast perform expertly, Howard Duff's role does not sound interesting but actually he is a strong sympathetic presence in it. Peggy Dow does very well as Patricia.

Lupino has the most difficult part and plays it with searing intensity and pathos. McNally is genuinely menacing, the character is obvious but his performance does give the creeps. 'Woman in Hiding' is very atmospherically and stylishly photographed and lit, really enhancing especially the mill setting later on. The music is suitably ominous and the sound did give me the jitters without over-emphasising.

All in all, not great but pretty good despite a few frustrations. 7/10