cult film freak: KNOCKOUT BARBARA PAYTON IN THE BOXING NOIR 'BAD BLONDE'

Barbara Payton is Hammer's BAD BLONDE Year: 1953

In the Hammer British Film Noir BAD BLONDE originally titled THE FLANAGAN BOY, a bulky and not altogether brilliant English boxer gets a shot when his trainer connects with a rich Italian promoter who can make it all happen...

But first, everyone has to live at a rural lakeside estate where the fighter, Charlie Sullivan (Tony Wright), will prepare for future moneymaking matches... Second and most important, Charlie needs to get along with the rich man’s baby-faced, perpetually pursed-lipped wife Lorna, played by goading, manipulating, voluptuous Barbara Payton. Basically, the first moment Charlie sets his smitten eyes on the sullen temptress, his edge is gone… As is his common sense and sanity, much to his trainer's chagrin...

One of the great all-tie fonts for BAD BLONDE Rates: ***1/2

The stock ingredients of Film Noir are present as, inspired by THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, there's an ugly rich guy who's naive enough allow (and literally push) his wife to hang around a young and muscular, good looking stud: Leading to temptation for temptation's sake...

But what helps BAD BLONDE dodge cliches is the boxing itself, filmed like you’re watching each bout from the first row, in each corner...

Meanwhile, the eventual murder attempt of Lorna’s husband is wickedly intense, not only plotted out in desperation but with an 11th hour twist with some terrific perspective angles: seemingly inspired by directors like Otto Preminger or Orson Welles. But overall, too much time wallows in pulpy dime-novel dialogue between the boxer and the title character BAD BLONDE, whose villainy was better when she had a few more rungs to climb.