As noir as black gets. Stanwyck makes a stunning performance as the femme fatale who bends a man's mind and twists his heart. Even the experienced, cynical insurance salesman (McMurray) cannot evade her irresistible spell. Carefully planning a near-perfect murder is one thing, following through"straight down the line" is another, especially as tension & pressure skyrocket, while confidence in your shady accomplice erodes over time. The relationship between the MC and the other secondary characters is well fleshed out, in particular with the claims director (Robinson), a sharp and impetuous force of nature who cares more than he shows. Was the dame truly changed in the end? Hard to decide.