An Act of Murder (1948)

An Act of Murder: Directed by Michael Gordon. With Fredric March, Edmond O’Brien, Florence Eldridge, Geraldine Brooks. A hard-line judge is tempted toward mercy-killing by his wife’s terminal cancer.

“In this forgotten classic, a husband has to face the worst news imaginable: his wife has a brain tumor. They live in a small town, and the family doctor is also a close, personal friend. Together, he and the doctor agree not to tell her, so she can live out her life in as much peace as possible.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAn added realism to this movie is the onscreen pairing of Fredric March and Florence Eldridge, who were married in real life. When he kisses his wife and worries how many more days heu0026#39;ll have with her, heu0026#39;s really kissing his wife. Freddie and Flo made a few movies together, and this is one of my favorites. Iu0026#39;m sure he would have given just as wonderful and compassionate a performance acting opposite another actress, but itu0026#39;s extremely touching to see him alongside his wife. If you like their rapport, check them out in Inherit the Wind.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eObviously, the title of this movie suggests some conflicting feelings about the plot. Itu0026#39;s a very thoughtful piece thatu0026#39;s a drama without dramatizing. It feels as real as it can be while still serving as entertainment. If youu0026#39;re a Fredric March fan, youu0026#39;ve got to rent it.”