Decoy (1946)

61% of users liked it
(303 ratings)

This gripping, gritty film noir begins as a mortally wounded physician staggers into the apartment of a vicious vixen, the leader of a notorious gang of thieves. Shots ring out, and the police rush to the scene. Sergeant Leonard gets there to find the doctor dead, and the woman failing fast. As she… More This gripping, gritty film noir begins as a mortally wounded physician staggers into the apartment of a vicious vixen, the leader of a notorious gang of thieves. Shots ring out, and the police rush to the scene. Sergeant Leonard gets there to find the doctor dead, and the woman failing fast. As she lay gasping she decides to tell the sergeant the whole terrible story that began when she got involved with a cop-killing robber who was captured and sentenced to death. Before his fateful date with the gas chamber, he lets the rest of the gang know where he hid the $40,0000 they netted from the caper; he, with her help, also arranges to ingest the doctor's newly developed drug, an antidote to cyanide, to escape his "execution." The plot works, and eventually, the gangster is back in business. He gives his girl half of the map, but unfortunately gets shot by a rival before he can give her the other half. The ruthless woman and another gang member then force the doctor to assist them with their search. They are heading off to the location, when the double-crossing she-devil kills the other gangster in a horrible manner and continues on with the doctor. They find the chest containing the loot and they get an awful surprise. The woman begins laughing hysterically as if on the verge of a full-blown break down. She shoots the doctor and then flees, thereby bringing the story up to the present. Just before she dies, the ruthless woman reveals the astonishing contents of the chest. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 16 min.
Directed By: Jack Bernhard
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 14, 1946 Wide
On DVD: Jul 31, 2007

Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
- A trama absurda compromete bastante o longa, que, curiosamente, acaba se tornando interessante graças à performance exagerada da bela Jean Gillie (que morreria precocemente apenas três anos depois).
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Gillie is one of the more cruel femme fatales in film noir lore.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

It acts like noir, but doesn't really look like it. Jean Gillie plays probably the most volatile, nasty, ruthless, over-the-top and despicable femme fatale ever. Sheldon Leonard does a great job as the cop, Portugal. Real B-grade poverty row stuff that's got a fantastic… More
It acts like noir, but doesn't really look like it. Jean Gillie plays probably the most volatile, nasty, ruthless, over-the-top and despicable femme fatale ever. Sheldon Leonard does a great job as the cop, Portugal. Real B-grade poverty row stuff that's got a fantastic opening and even though you don't know everything that happened yet you know it's not going to let you down. Production-wise on the lower end of the noir totem pole but worth it for Gillie's performance.

Cast

            Jean Gillie as Margot Shelby

            Edward Norris as Jim Vincent

            Robert Armstrong as Frank Olins

            Herbert Rudley as Dr. Lloyd Craig

            Sheldon Leonard as Sgt. Joseph Portugal

            Marjorie Woodworth as Nurse

            Philip Van Zandt as Tommy

            Carole Donne as Waitress

            John Shay as Al

            Bert Roach as Bartender

            Franco Corsaro as Kelsey

            Dick Elliott as Driver

            Virginia Farmer as Maid

            Pat Flaherty as Policeman

            Jo Gilbert as Fat Woman

            Donald Kerr as Elevator Operator

            Louis Mason as Thin Attendant

            Kenneth Patterson as Joe

            William H. Ruhl as Guard

            Bill Self as Station Attendant

            Ferris Taylor as Fat Attendant

            Ray Teal as Policeman

            Harry Tyler as Counterman

            Walden Boyle as Chaplain

            Madge Crane as 1st Visitor

            Don MacCracken as Prison Guard
See full cast