THE BIG BLUFF (1955)

The big bluff is John Bromfield, looking dashingly untrustworthy with his rare pencil mustache and nearing the high point of his career. He loves a nightclub entertainer. They are both being pursued by her estranged husband. Untrustworthy is exactly how he sees Bromfield. Thankful that this is only seventy minutes, it is still an intriguing, if implausible, noir. The last ten minutes are the reason to see the film through with a slick double-twist. The film was produced by Planet Filmplays and distributed by United Artists. One word of caution, it is directed by W. Lee Wilder, the less-talented brother of Billy. On the brighter side, Fred Freiberger wrote the screenplay and cinematography by Gordon Avil. Freiberger gained notice about a decade later as a writer or producer for several popular television series.

The black and white film opens at the bedside of a rich widow, played by Martha Vickers, terminally ill with a heart condition. Her secretary and doctor think it best not to tell her, feeling a positive outlook would be best for her. The doctor also suggests a move to a more remote part of Los Angeles for peace and quiet. The views from her window are spectacular if the smog ever clears. Robert Hutton gives a rather comatose performance as the doctor.

While dining out the secretary meets Bromfield who learns about Vickers and her health, aka wealth. He wines and dines the rich widow, then marries. He does his best to wear her down with late-night parties and physical activity. But to his disappointment, all this exercise improves her health. Diabolically, the financially restrained con man speeds up the process by replacing her medication with sodium bicarbonate in a second pill container. The real medicine is his backup to his vow, "I'll take care of her" (for as long as he can stand it). Vickers is annoying, acting like a schoolgirl, constantly gushing over Bromfield, unable to see through his over-the-top behavior. But her secretary has no doubts after noticing two identical pillboxes. The doctor, along with a detective, tests the pills and confirms something is truly wrong with Bromfield. 

Bromfield suddenly becomes nasty to his wife, ranting and raving. It is simply a cover to storm off and arrange a future with his girlfriend, and then return to confess his intimate indiscretions. He puts the "sin" in sincerity. With some carefully planted evidence, the fix is in. And there is that estranged husband.