Saddled with abusive husband Wendel (Connors), lovely kept wife Katherine (Smith) begins a romantic liasion with her hubby's business partner Steve (Franciscus).

After her lover murders the venomous Wendel, a frazzled Katherine comes to believe she can weather the storm and come out on top.

But soon, Steve is found dead and Wendel's body is missing!

To make matters worse, policeman Donner (Mitchum) begins sniffing about...and Katherine appears the obvious culprit for both crimes.

This rather strange mystery is cleverly constructed and well acted (Smith is radiant and eternal bad boy Mitchum is always watchable). But it contains a decidedly downbeat and dark vibe.

Would Hollywood today even attempt the nihilistic ending (or rewrite it altogether)?

See for yourself.