A Life at Stake (1954) - Star of the month... Angela Lansbury

'A Life at Stake' is a 1954 film noir directed by Paul Guilfoyle and starring Angela Lansbury, Keith Andes and Jane Darwell.

Achitect and builder Edward Shaw (played by Andes) is approached by Doris Hillman (played by Lansbury) to purchase land together, to which Edward would build houses and Doris would sell. Doris' husband Gus Hillman (played by ) is willing to fund $500,000.

After beginning an affair with Doris, Edward finds Doris is more interested in the $175,000 life insurance policy he has on his life and begins to believe she is trying to kill him.

Closing remarks

Suspenseful film noir with great music score by Les Baxter. Angela Lansbury plays a good femme fatale and is rather seductive in a bathing suit by the pool.  Jane Darwell delivers a memorable character performance as the nosy landlord. The final 10 minutes of the film were suspenseful, with a slightly predictable, yet somewhat surprising ending.