Movie Review: Vicki (1953)
Synopsis: While having coffee at a diner, publicist Steve Christopher meets waitress Vicki Lynn and convinces her she could have a career in modeling. Vicki accepts his help and, with support from actor Robin Ray, she is soon on the cover of newspapers and magazines as well as having a steady income working as a nightclub singer. When Hollywood comes calling, she accepts, bringing her business arrangement with Steve to an abrupt end. When she is found murdered the next day, Steve becomes the primary suspect and police lieutenant. Ed Cornell is determined to make sure he gets the electric chair.
Who's in it? The movie stars Elliott Reid, Jean Peters, Jeanne Crain, Richard Boone and Alexander D'Arcy.
Review: I was flipping through movies last night in search for something to watch before starting my day today and Vicki caught my eye because it sounded like an interesting mystery. I finished it a short while ago and it was a film that did not disappoint.
While Vicki's (Peters) part of the story is told mostly through flashbacks, it's done in a way that establishes both her as a main character that was both beautiful and opportunistic while also putting together a firm list of suspects that easily had Steve Christopher (Reed) firmly at the top. As the movie progressed and more evidence seemed to support his claim to the murderer spot, I was truly beginning to wonder if he was as innocent as I was supposed to believe.
Even though he was the favorite, at least according to the police, there were plenty of others that kept the field open. Robin (D'Arcy) admitted he was in love with Vicki. Columnist Larry Adams (Max Showalter) seemed to have a similar interest. The switchboard operator, Harry (Aaron Spelling) had the key to her apartment. And then there was her sister, Jill (Crane), who could have possibly committed the murder out of jealousy.
Lt. Cornell (Boone) added an intriguing element as well, especially after the movie established his own obsession with the deceased model. It was hard to tell if he was pursuing Steve because he truly believed the publicist killed Vicki or if he was just trying to cover up his own involvement in the murder. Either way, any evidence he was in possession of came with a grain of doubt.
I will admit, the ending was unexpected, both with the reveal of who killed Vicki and the surprise twist involving one of the others. It was both entertaining and a bit creepy, which I thought was a perfect way to end a movie like this.
Final Opinion: This is a solid murder mystery with a couple nice twists and a story that centered around an intriguing victim. It's worth taking the time to watch.
My Grade: A
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Here are some reviews of other movies from 1953:
Movie Review: Loose in London (1953)
Movie Review: 99 River Street (1953)
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