Review of Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948) by Josè M — 28 Mar 2010

Terrific Woolrich adaptation, with Eddie G. as a reluctant seer tragically afflicted by a series of visions leading up to a murder foretold. He is aligned opposite William Demarest, (Uncle Charlie fom My Three Sons, Sturges) as the skeptical police lieutenant and voice of reason. In the middle is a romantic couple with Gail Russell as the potential victim who they both wish to protect despite their contrary methods.

The depiction of precognition is very interesting, and Robinson gives a highly compelling performance. The flashback structure allows him to contrast his vaudeville ESP act against the actual visions that he claims to be having in the present. In between, we are given contradictory evidence by the police to discount him - which is then cast into greater doubt as the plot develops.