Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Blanket trick

Else (Wanda Hendrix) is a maid in a shabby London hotel. She’s about to get a visit from her boss, Mrs. Melandez (Katina Paxinou), and Melandez’s co-conspirator Contreras (Peter Lorre). Even if you anticipate the worst, this short sequence (about twelve seconds) still startles, as a blanket fills the screen and drops to reveal the visitors. From Confidential Agent (dir. Herbert Shumlin, 1945). Cinematography by James Wong Howe. Click any image for a larger view.

A hotel maid lifts a blanket into the air as she makes a bed. The blanket nearly fills the screen. The blanket fills the screen. As the blanket lowers, we see Else’s head. And Mrs. Melandez is now standing in the doorway behind her. Contreras now comes into view, just outside the door. Melandez and Contreras come closer as Else continues to make the bed. Else behinds forward to spread out the blanket. Else turns slightly, sensing that someone is now in the room with her.
Just for the record: no one has said a word yet. Else senses that someone is now in the room with her.

Confidential Agent is available from TCM through August 29.

By Michael Leddy at 8:41 AM

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