Moviecut—Decoy

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source: Decoy

Decoy

(April, 2000): Just saw a rare print at the American Cinematheque Noir festival and the film knocked my socks off. As evidenced by this performance, Jean Gillie would have been one of the greats of Noir had she not died in 1949. She powers through this film, getting man after man to do her bidding, never taking no for an answer. And the obstacles that would stop a lesser character don't bother her in the least. The problem confronting her: her boyfriend is on death row. Only he knows where $400,000 from a robbery is. And she uses her feminine wiles to persuade him, and two other men, to discern the location of that dough because, *she wants that money.* Even the gas chamber doesn't slow her down ... which is where the slight sci-fi element is introduced. If this turns up on late-night video, set your VCR. You will be amazed.

An awesome shocker in every truly great way. DECOY is a slow burner and when Its pace gathers and the pieces of the story (and Jean Gillie's astonishing character performance) come together.......well I wish I was in a big audience for that collective revelation and reaction. I guarantee the last half an hour is enough to have anyone gobsmacked at her behaviour. The version I saw is the grainy TV print from Europe, so to see DECOY in a new print in a cinema with a crowd would be one of the great events you could want. I want it - and this just confirms again why I love Monogram Pictures. This film is worth the hunt....and Godard was right. Read all the other rave comments for the storyline... but do not miss this Monogram 1946 DECOY under any circumstances!

A bit far fetched and a little wooden in places this is nevertheless such an excellent story that it is simply irresistible. Stunning performance from Jean Gillie as the femme fatale, par excellence, with no less than all four of the leading men in awe. Apparently we get to see little else from this enigmatic lady because she marries the director, divorces shortly after the film's release and dies within 3 years. Shame because such promise here with a really solid and uncompromising turn. A really focused lady, she doesn't even blink as others die around her and movie's false and real endings are priceless. Great entertainment all the way.