The House on 56th Street

Directed by Robert Florey, The House on 56th Street details the relative chaos that ensues after a turn-of-the-century showgirl (Kay Francis’ Peggy Martin) is forced to choose between two very different men (Gene Raymond’s Monty Van Tyle and John Halliday’s Lyndon Fiske). It’s a seemingly straightforward premise that’s employed as a springboard for a briskly-paced and consistently surprising narrative, and there’s little doubt that filmmaker Florey, armed with a script by Austin Parker and Sheridan Gibney, kicks the proceedings off with a comparatively low-key opening stretch that’s hardly indicative of what’s to follow – with the engaging atmosphere initially perpetuated by a typically top-notch turn by star Francis. And while the picture admittedly does boast a small handful of padded-out moments and sequences, The House on 56th Street progresses into a stirring midsection that’s certainly much more involving and stylish than one might’ve initially anticipated (eg the passage of time is illustrated via a series of newspaper headlines) – with the agreeably melodramatic third act ensuring that the whole thing concludes on a memorable, satisfying note.

*** out of ****