We have a nice poster here for Beware, My Lovely, starring Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan. Lupino hires Ryan to do some work around her house but doesn’t know he’s a seriously deranged mental case subject to violent mood swings. Interesting as the film is, we can’t fully recommend it because of its somewhat improbable confinement scenario. Or put another way, even though reasons are presented for why the heroine can’t simply escape by running out of the house, they aren’t very convincing. But on the plus side, the movie does have the ultra-talented Lupino, who was one of Hollywood’s top quadruple threats (writer, director, actress, producer). In fact, her contributions to film noir are extensive and important. So it’s an enthusiastic yes on Lupino, but a qualified maybe on Beware, My Lovely. It premiered in the U.S. today in 1952.
Note to self: Next time I hire a handyman, ask for references.