1944. For Experiment Perilous, a psychological mystery set in the early years of the 20th century, MGM loan Hedy Lamarr out to RKO. Filming begins in July 1944.
The movie, based on a novel by Margaret Carpenter, is directed by Jacques Tourneur, who will go on to direct Jane Greer in Out of the Past, one of the all-time-great films noir. Unfortunately, Hedy doesn’t get on with him or with her co-star George Brent, who years later will suggest in an interview that:
Hedy was a lovely woman but her memory for remembering lines or set-ups was god-awful. The delays and cuts and retakes caused by this woman were unbearably exasperating.
Perhaps that’s why we see her here, preparing for a scene with her script coach.
In spite of the behind-the-scenes clashes, Hedy puts in one of her best performances and Experiment Perilous turns out to be her own personal favourite of all the movies she makes.
Photo by Alex Kahle.
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