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Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

What could have been an intriguing film noir of a set-up for murder gone wring becomes an overly complex and problematic plot that wraps up faster than it took to set it up. Bodyguard Edmund O'Brien is set up to supposedly kill someone, but it's very apparent that there's more going on than even the audience can see. Ella Raines who works for the calculating Vincent Price (whom O'Brien has been hired to protect), falls in love with O'Brien but there's a plot thickening behind the scenes that makes this confusing and frustrating. Some great symbolic moments add to the noir feeling of the plot line, but it's just all a messy set-up both plot wise and scam wise. William Bendix is a tough detective, with John Abbott as Price's right hand man. There's a sub genre of film noir which tried to be artistic and draw the audience into its own web, but what happens here is that the spider who builds the web ends up tangled as well, making what is caught pointless prey. As usual, Price is riveting, and everybody does their best, aided by a few interesting twists and turns. However, a messy script is the real problem, going too far out of its own way to get properly to its final destination.

Edmond O'Brien who later starred in such noir classics as 711 Ocean Drive and DOA stars in this film with Vincent Price for Universal. The Web casts O'Brien as a young attorney and Price as a millionaire who is not above outright criminal activity as a way of supporting his lifestyle as we see.Sad to say the film while not bad in and of itself and its conclusion is quite interesting, it starts with one preposterous premise. O'Brien is rather brash and heavy handed and a bit stupid. Just what Price needs to slip into a neat frame. He hires and O'Brien accepts because business isn't too good a job as a bodyguard because an old business associate played by Fritz Leiber is threatening him.Sure enough Lieber shows up at Price's house and O'Brien shoots him to save Price. The police in the person of William Bendix aren't sure, but they can't prove anything. Later on Price commits another murder and this time he frames both O'Brien and his secretary Ella Raines for the crime. Quite The Web that O'Brien and now Raines are in, in this day we call it a jackpot.Granted I've known all kinds of lawyers including some of the stupidest people I've ever met. But I could never swallow a street smart guy like O'Brien being so easily manipulated. It prevents The Web from being a truly great noir film.

Surprisingly good unknown noir, featuring fine work from noir regulars Ella Raines, William Bendix, Vincent Price and Edmund O'Brien. Taut, well-acted, although rather unsurprisingly plotted and photographed, this is quite a satisfying diversion.Ms. Raines, a competent actress, seems to have relied on her 'ironed' and particularly sleek tresses to carry her career forward. Price, always elevated because of his voice, poise and diction, carries another role both admirably and distastefully. Edmond O'Brien, oleaginous and plump, doesn't sweat as much as usual, although he is subjected to a hotter than usual roasting from... William Bendix, who many of my generation recall as the harmlessly bumbling Riley in 'The Life of Riley' TV series of the 1950's, once again reprises his role as a hard as nails, street-wise tough guy as the police detective.Great ensemble cast of noir regulars, good pacing and direction, mostly mediocre dialog and music and cinematography, yet still a joy to watch.

A nifty little thriller that has lawyer Edmond O'Brien hired as bodyguard for business tycoon Vincent Price. Of course it doesn't take a detective to figure out that someone is setting someone else up, nor does it take a college diploma to figure out who those someones might be. Still, the cast (which also includes Ella Raines and William Bendix) is obviously enjoying themselves here, and if they're not going to take things too seriously, why should you? It's best not to think too hard about the plot developments (like why would a tycoon hire a lawyer to be his bodyguard in the first place?) and just enjoy the slick ride.Grade: A-