Guest in the House (1944) 6 out of 10 stars ⭐ 1944's Answer to Lifetime Melodramas...

1944's Answer to Lifetime Melodramas...

GUEST IN THE HOUSE (1944) 6 out of 10 stars ⭐

BASIC PLOT: 

Evelyn Heath (Anne Baxter) has had some problems. She's been under a specialist's care for quite some time. Now, she's being cared for by Dr. Dan Proctor (Scott McKay), a man she intends to marry. But in the meantime, she's come to convalesce with Dan's relatives, The Proctors. Douglas Proctor (Ralph Bellamy) works as an illustrator, and even has a live-in model, Miriam (Marie McDonald). Ann Proctor (Ruth Warrick), used to work, but has quit to take care of their little girl, Lee (Connie Laird). All seems fine at first, but Evelyn is still having some problems. She wakes up screaming in the night, she's moody, and she has a phobia of birds. She also does not like Miriam, and begins scheming to get rid of her. What doesn't help matters is Douglas is suffering from painter's block. He and Miriam often take off swimming, or drinking, late into the night, for inspiration. Evelyn begins planting seeds of doubt about Miriam and Douglas, first to Lee, and then to their housekeeper, Hilda (Margaret Hamilton). Hilda refuses to work in such a household, and she promptly leaves. Evelyn is becoming more and more devious in her manipulation of the household. Soon, Ann and Douglas are not even talking. She's also have a deleterious effect on Lee, the Proctor's young daughter. Lee's beginning to mimick Evelyn's neurosis, and this is Ann's breaking point. She calls in her Aunt Martha (Aline MacMahon) and family friend, Mr. Hackett (Jerome Cowan). At once, they see Evelyn's manipulation, and tell Ann to get Evelyn out of the house before it's too late. Can Ann get Douglas to put down the bottle long enough to listen? Or will Evelyn destroy their lives forever?

WHAT WORKS: 

*THE END IS PERFECTION! I so wished I'd seen the version with Evelyn's monologue at the cliff. It's supposed to clarify she's a murderer, but the version I got, didn't have it. Still, the ending with Aunt Martha (Aline MacMahon) playing Evelyn's game, was unexpectedly delicious.

*MARGARET HAMILTON AS HILDA THE HOUSEKEEPER IS STELLAR! Who else, but the wicked witch of the west, could play the self righteous housekeeper so well?

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: 

*MEN ARE CLUELESS Douglas seems surprised Ann is upset when he comes home drunk with Miriam. They both stumble-bum around, and seem shocked the family is angry with them. He also says, "I drove around to sober up," which is just wrong in a hilarious way.

TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: 

*I would recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates the art of melodrama. It's something special when it's done right, and it is done very well here.

CLOSING NOTES: 

*I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE FILM, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.