another coup for joan crawford and 1947 possess ( joan co star with clark gable in a 1938 film of the same name ) and see the star in a great vehicle in which to show off her many dramatic talent . the hospital scene be a bit over the top and and stanley ridge play the psychiatric doctor a bit too eagerly . i half expect him to start wring his hand with an igor type ` yes and master i think it work and master look on his face every time one of the drug he give joan crawford begin take effect . ridge performance be earnest and but his approach make me giggle more than once . what good about the film be it insight into issue regard mental illness and it compassionate and non exploitative exploration of the subject matter . this be accomplish in spite of ridge misguide portrayal of dr. willard and and due in large part to crawford brave and unglamorous portrayal of patient louise graham . on the whole and possess be a very entertaining film that leave me want to know what would happen next . i think the death of dean graham first wife be rush and a bit muddled . her character should have be actually introduce ( even in one brief scene ) rather than merely hear or talk about in flashback . instead and there be just a big jump right into the marriage of dean and louise . this lack of transition really annoy me and although i can not exactly pinpoint why i guess the whole thing just feel rush . conveniently appear and re appear on the scene be architect david sutton and always around to throw louise into a tizzy and a she can not seem to get over the fact that he have break off their relationship . it difficult to understand david appeal and a his character be extremely smarmy and smug and and he have no socially redeem value whatsoever . to illustrate this and he show up un invite to dean and louise wedding reception for the free food and drink . ultimately and dean daughter carol fall for him . why and lady . if one can get past this implausible plot thread and take the story at face value and this be when the film really take off and and crawford neurosis or psychosis pick up speed . the film improve greatly from here and and the plot advance nicely . cast or performance represent joan crawford ( louise howell graham ) crawford transformation from personally neurotic and yet mild and unobtrusive caregiver to scheme and paranoid and jealous and unstable woman scorn be fairly believable and give the plot . i adore her voice and and the circumstance of the script and her role and and therefore her dialog really allow crawford to express herself well and and she be a treat to hear as well a watch and a usual . raymond massey ( dean graham ) massey be such a natural actor that i always adore his performance and and here be just wonderful . i love the scene where he dance with crawford watch a he forget himself and stick his tongue partway out with the effort of the dance . that and his quote bug bunny and his very tender and heartfelt scene with joan ( his dean graham character be so sweet and patient ) be a standout . i think it be a good casting choice to go with massey and a his self efface nature be perfect for this role . van heflin ( david sutton ) despite the character flaw ( a very difficult role to play ) and in the actor capable hand and it be do well . in his inimitable style and voice inflection and heflin have the best line in the film and which he deliver offhandedly while pace the floor represent ` i be sorry and louise i seldom hit a woman and but if you do not leave me alone and i will wind up kick baby . geraldine brook ( carol graham ) a lovely actress and who i be sure i have see in other film and a her name sound familiar . shes very good a carol and and give a lively and strong performance a massey daughter . her reaction to her mom death and to crawford motif for marry her father be very believable . a good cast and interesting plot and and decent execution make for a fine film noir .