Double Exposure (1944)

Nancy Kelly really shines, 28 June 2021

How many films from the 1940s start with the misunderstanding caused by a name that could belong to either a man or a woman?  That’s how Double Exposure begins.  Magazine editor Larry Burke (Chester Morris) hires a photographer he’s never met named “Pat” (Nancy Kelly).  Of course “Pat” ends up being a woman, setting the stage for a few laughs and a predictable romance.  Things get complicated, however, when: (a) Pat’s old beau shows up, and (b) Pat is accused of murder.  

Double Exposure isn’t anything deep, but it is a decent little film that I found reasonably entertaining.  For me, the comedy bits (especially those involving the health-nut magazine owner) far outweighed the mystery elements.  The killer’s real identity was way too easy to guess.  The film is also helped along by some snappy direction and pacing.  Director William Berke really keeps things moving.  The film’s highlight (at least for me) has to be Nancy Kelly’s performance.  Delightful, charming, and funny would be a few of the adjectives I’d use to describe Kelly in Double Exposure.  Her performance raises the film’s enjoyment in my eyes to a notch slightly above average.  Overall, if you go into Double Exposure without a ton of expectations, you might discover a nice little movie worth watching.  

Finally, another bit I liked was the storyline given to ex-boyfriend, Ben.  I won’t spoil it, but his final scene actually surprised me.  Well done.

6/10