The story is loosely adapted from the Patrick Hamilton novel. Rising classical composer George Harvey Bone (Laird Cregar) is writing a concerto for Sir Henry Chapman (Alan Napier). Chapman is the upper crust father of Barbara (Faye Marlowe), a beautiful young woman with a crush on Bone. But the hulking composer only has eyes for Netta London (Linda Darnell), a selfish, conniving nightclub singer who uses him to write show tunes for her.
The stress of juggling two girlfriends and writing a concerto is too much for poor Bone. He is subject to blackouts in which a murderous personality emerges, leading to a criminal investigation led by Dr. Middleton (George Sanders). Droll to the point of sarcasm, Sanders (Rebecca, All About Eve) is one of my favorite supporting actors from the 1940s.
Bone has good and evil split personalities, similar to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Inconsistently, however, even his 'good' side betrays a penchant for violence when things don't go his way. His hope for salvation lies in choosing considerate, educated Barbara instead of spoiled and stupid Netta. But then we wouldn't have the dramatic finale, which has Bone pounding out his concerto while surrounded by smoke and flames from the burning concert hall.
The classical music theme of the film was ideal for the talents of composer Bernard Herrmann. Herrmann, best known for his long-running association with Alfred Hitchcock, had a career that ranged from Citizen Kane (1941) to Taxi Driver (1976). Herrmann composed the featured concerto for Hangover Square, in addition to the background music and several melodies sung by Darnell.
Hangover Square was the final film in the short career of Laird Cregar. Cregar was a massive man, over six feet tall and weighing some 300 pounds. Because of his size, he was soon in demand as a character actor, usually playing a villain. Despite his career success, he longed for 'leading man' roles, and went on a crash diet. After landing the lead for the first time in Hangover Square, he died of a heart attack soon after completing the film. He was only 28 years old. (67/100)