Portrait in Black is one of those star-studded, glitzy color productions of the early 1960s, and quite often, those movies fell flat on their faces. This one, though, despite being filled with clichés, works. There is the cliché of the lovely but sexually-frustrated Sheila (Lana Turner), wife of a much older, possessive, and abusive husband, Matthew Cabot, played by Lloyd Nolan, who just happens to be loaded (he is the head of a San Francisco-based shipping line). Perky Sandra Dee plays Turner's step-daughter, who predictably does not care for her father's second wife. She in turn, is romantically involved with the rugged John Saxon, the ruggedly handsome but poor head of a small tugboat firm--a match her imperious father would never countenance. Enter Anthony Quinn as the handsome doctor, daily stopping by the mansion to minister to the terminally ill Mr. Cabot. Soon, he finds that fringe benefits come with his visits, as Mrs. Cabot eagerly falls into the strong embraces of the good doctor--she certainly didn't fall for his intellect. One thing leads to another; the cantankerous Matthew conveniently dies, and the rest of the film deals with who knew what and when, how the protagonists deal with blackmail, and how the death pulls them apart instead of vice versa. Supporting roles are noteworthy--Virginia Grey and Anna May Wong--former 1930s glamor queens play the loyal secretary and housekeeper, respectively. But the best supporting performance kudos go to Richard Basehart as Howard Mason, Cabot's scheming business associate. Mr. Basehart embraces the role of the suave, cutthroat businessman who is clearly out for his own advancement. He has proved he will not hesitate to hurt anyone in his grasp for power and wealth. He has an eye for his employer's wife and a mocking, jealous disdain for the supposedly loyal ministrations of Quinn's Dr. Rivera. Mr. Basehart plays Howard with a delightful smarminess that makes him the funnest character of the entire film. Yet, you get the feeling that deep down, Howard can be a decent person--though he has been in love with Sheila for years, he never made a move on her while her husband was alive--perhaps out of loyalty? Subtle facial expressions in his scenes and tones of voice from Mr. Basehart make Howard more than a one-dimensional slimeball. The stunning wardrobe changes Lana Turner parades through the film, the San Francisco location shots, the set design of the mansion, and the tight direction of Ross Hunter make the film a must see.
Review of Portrait in Black
