Man Bait

Excellent work by the underrated and lovely Marguerite Chapman in this lively and interesting British noir.Disc good, transfer nice.

This DVD from VCI contains the 1952 Film Noir that appeared as a double feature on an earlier VCI release but this time it is a stand-alone. At the beginning of the feature it states that it has been restored by Kit Parker Films (one of the companies in VCI's catalog) in 2005. The print image is sharp through most of the 84-minute running time though the contrast gets a bit light in the last 10 minutes or so. (Not a big deal). There some "hum" throughout that might not have been able to be removed without altering the sound. VCI though to add readable subtitles to the film though I didn't need them. The Screen aspect is the standard 1.33:1 with black bars on either side on flat screen TVs.Now to the film. It is an interesting piece of film noir with the sexy British actress Diana Dors as a clerk in a bookstore who comes under the influence of a recently released felon who convinces her to seduce her boss. NO, I'm not really giving any spoiler here - I hate "spoilers". All the action I just listed happens in the first five minutes and sets into action the real story.Now I do believe in truth is advertising and so I do want reveal a few things about the packaging. For one both the front and back of the DVD pkg says "Starring Diana Dors". Well, when the opening credit rol, you won't see her name until after all the other lesser-known actors (except maybe George Brent) are listed. It then says "Introducing Diana Dors". That's because she was at the beginning og her career. The front of the package has two images of DD. One is a small photo and the other is "poster graphic" of DD in either a two piece swimsuit or - more probably - a bra and panties. Do not expect to see Ms. Dors in this outfit or even see a tight blouse or cleavage. It's not there. And Ms. Dors is only on screen for about 60% of the film.Despite the somewhat misleading cover art, I still enjoyed the film and glad I saw it. If you like Film Noir you'll certainly like this.There are no other "special features" on the DVD.I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.Steve Ramm"Anything Phonographic"

Man Bait is a title designed to titillate, but this is a nicely-depicted film noir with a simple plot. I won't review the plot, but here are a few things that bothered me, and there are SPOILERS here:1) George Brent (the main star) goes missing, and all-points bulletin is sent out seeking him. The description says "26 years old". This is preposterous. George Brent was born in 1904. This film was made in 1952. He looks to be in his late40's in the film -- as he truly was. Not sure why the APB said age 26. Weird.2) Window in shop holding antiquarian books is kept unlocked?3) Bad guy, just released from prison, somehow has correct key to unlock the case containing a valuable book?4) Bad guy douses apartment with lighter fluid but not onto the woman in the apartment he hopes to kill?So, not a perfect film, but most film noirs never are. The film keeps your interest and keeps its focus on the plot -- no time-wasting side-plots to worry about. Not the best noir, but nicely done.

Man Bait is a very smart exponent of the Noir genre. Blackmail and suspense shake hands. Based on a simple story about a sexy girl who manages to blackmail a very serious and devoted husband.A Noir that somehow has been underrated. Effective and absorbing, this one will capture yur attention. Don't miss it!!!

The film Man Bait is not what is advertised, which is a provocative and exploitative film. Rather, it is a terrific film drama, expertly directed, scripted, and acted by a mostly British cast and shot in London. The beautiful Diana Dors is extraordinary as a working-class clerk in a small bookshop, hard-pressed for a better life. Her boss is played by the veteran George Brent, who had been in a long-term contract at Warner Bros in the 30s and 40s and made some memorable films. Here, he played a traumatized war veteran and former POW, who loses his control for a moment with Miss Dors. Subsequently, a small- time criminal convinces Diana to exhort Brent. The lovely Marguerite Chapman plays another employee, who is in love with Brent and tries to resolve the conflict. The result is a character-based drama with quality and distinction.

Great stuff from Diana Dors. They don't make films or film stars like that anymore!!

An entertaining, classic "good girl gone bad" flim noir. Well paced with over-the-top performances...it was worth the price.

i like :::"DIANA DORS"