Vincent Price was a wonderful actor who had a long career in movies, television and on stage. He's beloved by fans for his many appearances in horror films like Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe cycle, the original version of The Fly, and The Tingler. The talented actor also appeared in comedies, romantic dramas, period films, and thrillers. During the 1940s and 1950s, he appeared in several noir films, including the memorable Laura (1944) and Leave Her To Heaven (1945). One of the most entertaining of the films noir that Price starred in was The Web, which was originally released in 1947.
The movie tells the story of Bob Regan, who crosses paths with Andrew Colby, the owner of Colby Enterprises. Regan meets Colby while trying to collect on a small claims case. Colby is impressed by Regan's style, and hires him to be his bodyguard. It seems that Leopold Kroner, a former associate of Colby's, has just gotten out of prison for embezzling money from Colby's company. Colby's worried that Kroner may try to exact revenge on Colby for having helped send him to prison. Regan ends up shooting Kroner when he appears to be threatening Colby with a gun. A friend of Regan's on the police force, Lieutenant Damico, investigates the killing. Damico isn't so sure things are what they seem, and thinks that there's more to the story.
Regan becomes suspicious as well. He and Colby's secretary, Noel, start to look into Colby and Kroner's past dealings, and suddenly things don't seem to add up. While they try to piece together what really happened, Colby is setting a plan in motion that will land Regan and Noel in hot water. The clever and resourceful Colby is one step ahead of both the police, and Regan. Will Regan and Noel figure out what Colby is up to? Will Damico arrest Regan for Kroner's murder? Everything comes to a head on an eventful night at Colby's house, where all the twists and turns of what Colby is up to are revealed.
The Web is a fast-moving thriller, well-directed by Michael Gordon, who made films in a number of genres, but may be best known for his work with Doris Day on Pillow Talk (1959) and Move Over, Darling (1963). The moody cinematography for The Web is by Irving Glassberg, who also worked on the noirs Larceny (1948) and The Price of Fear (1956). The film features some excellent dialogue, courtesy of writers William Bowers and Bertrand Millhauser, whose screenplay is based on a story by Harry Kurnitz.
The cast is superb. Edmond O' Brien (The Killers) is solid as Regan, who gets misled by the scheming Colby, marvelously played by Vincent Price. He gives a wonderful performance, fully embodying Colby with the style, wit and energy of those "villains you love to hate." Speaking of wit, the crackling dialogue and excellent chemistry between O'Brien as Regan, and noir veteran Ella Raines (Phantom Lady, The Suspect) as Noel is one of the highlights of the film. William Bendix is very good as the sharp and intuitive Lieutenant Damico. Character actor John Abbott, a familiar face from his many roles in film and television, appears as Charles Murdock, Colby's right hand man.
The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray and is often screened on cable channels such as Turner Classic Movies. If you're looking for an enjoyable, twisty noir featuring Vincent Price at the top of his villainous game, look no further than The Web, which features a score by Hollywood stalwart Hans J. Salter. This is a fine example of the kind of well-crafted classic studio film "they don't make anymore." Here's a look at the trailer for The Web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcE8ESlRJDU.
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