Jean Parker, one of Hollywood’s classic beauties, plays an innocent woman framed for murder in Lady in the Death House. This gritty noir-style film intricately traces Parker’s extraordinary circumstances that lead to her awful predicament on death row. Deftly flowing from past to present and everywhere in between, without ever leaving the viewer confused, Lady in the Death House builds tension and thrills the old fashioned way: with good storytelling. The final scenes are particularly harrowing, as every aspect of the film races towards its horrifying conclusion. Lady in the Death House has that black and white 1940s film noir electricity that infuses every shadow, every wry smirk, and every harsh word with an extra sharpness and sense of depth. A gem of classic cinema that deserves more recognition, Lady in the Death House is simply fine filmmaking.
