What makes it different from others?

Stylish but barely mediocre overall

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

On television, Lucy was Queen (although I much preferred her later television shows -- "Here's Lucy" and "The Lucy Show" -- over "I Love Lucy". But I was never particularly impressed with Lucy on the big screen. That's not to say there weren't a few films that I enjoyed, however. And then there's this little, almost forgotten gem.It's not a perfect film. But it's very intriguing. First, it's interesting that this is an early film of Douglas Sirk, who later directed films such as "Magnificent Obsession". And then there's the odd segment of the film when a crazy Boris Karloff makes Lucille think he's the killer; it's comic, even though this film is not a comedy, and it made me wish that we had seen Karloff in other roles that were not in the horror genre. The plot is a bit fantastic, but deliciously so -- young show girls are being killed in London, and one was the friend of Lucy. She becomes involved in Scotland Yard's efforts to hunt down the killer...as a sort of decoy. The film makes George Sanders appear to be the killer, even as he and Lucille fall in love, but I think you'll probably figure out who the real killer is fairly early in the film. So the fun isn't in realizing who the murderer is...the fun is how the characters unearth who the murderer is.George Sanders is excellent here...playing George Sanders; but that's how I (and I think we) liked him. The role is a tad bit challenging in that he has to appear his usual confident and suave self while feeling helpless as he is charged with serial murder with apparently irrefutable evidence.Lucille Ball is surprisingly good here in what is mostly a dramatic role. Quite convincing.Charles Coburn, one of my favorite character actors, is excellent and very entertaining as an inspector with Scotland Yard. It would be interesting to know why the segment with Boris Karloff was included in the film, but it is very entertaining.At first it seems as if Sir Cedric Hardwicke, as Sanders' assistant, has an almost minor role. But his climactic scene is extremely well done.One of my criticisms of the film involves the part of the plot involving Joseph Calleia and Alan Mowbray, which in many ways is little more than a distraction...but I guess that's what it was supposed to be. Wouldn't you know it -- Mowbray plays a butler, albeit a rather evil one this time around.George Zucco has a good turn as one of the officers, as does Alan Napier.An imperfect film that didn't find much of an audience when it was released, but I very much liked it. Sink handled the story in a way that was different enough to be a bit unique, even though the general story line is not that unusual. Recommended, though it probably won't end up on your DVD shelf.

Long before her 1951-57 smash hit TV sitcom, "I Love Lucy," that would make her a household name forever, Lucille Ball was an accomplished actress. She will always be known for her comedy, but she had many talents. She could dance up a storm, and sing a tune. She was a very attractive starlet who played nicely in some dramas and romances. Throw in a couple of Westerns and several mystery-suspense-thrillers, and you have a well-rounded, excellent actress. She made more than 100 movies in her lifetime, besides her "I Love Lucy" TV series, followed by "The Lucy Show" in 1962-1968, and finally, "Here's Lucy" that ran from 1968 to 1974. TV Guide called her the greatest TV start of all time. "Lured" is one of the mystery-crime movies that starred Ball, with a wonderful cast of other big names of the time. She does an excellent job as an American, Sandra Carpenter, who is stranded in London when a stage show she was in closed after just three nights' run. George Sanders plays Robert Fleming; Charles Coburn is Inspector Harley Temple of Scotland Yard, Cedric Hardwicke is Fleming's partner, Julian Wilde. All give very good performances. As do a number of other very talented actors – Alan Mowbray as Lyle Maxwell, George Zucco as Officer Barrett, and a host of others in small or cameo roles. One is Boris Karloff, and all I'll say about him is that I don't think I've ever seen Karloff laugh at all, let alone laugh so long and hard and convincingly, as in this film. To give the plot of this film might ruin it for viewers. It's a very clever script. It's in black and white, which lends a nice touch to the scenes of foggy nights in London. All the technical aspects of the film are very good. This is a nicely engaging movie that's sure to entertain. And give people who only know of Lucy Ricardo from her first TV show, a look at a very talented actress who could do almost anything on stage or film.

There are a few things here that may attract the casual Movie Viewer. The big and certainly eclectic Cast, the title, and those looking for vintage Film-Noir. They may find all but the latter. This is a scatterbrained affair that changes tone many times and its 107 Minute Running Time can seem like an eternity to some.Not without flashes of interest, like the First Act, a bizarre Cameo by Boris Karloff, and an almost mind-boggling way it goes about being true to its Mystery Premise and then abandoning it for syrupy Romance and Upper-Crust Pageantry, and then returning. There are many unnecessary diversions and it is frankly overfilled with fluff and is certainly not Film-Noir.Not a bad Movie, but a strange one, and as a whole it is weighted down with an overload of side steps, and pieces that don't fit comfortably together. Lucy Fans might want to take a peek but others are warned.

Set in London but mainly studio bound, this is a super outing from Douglas Sirk and although known as, Lured, here in the UK, the US title, Personal Column, seems more appropriate as the UK title does suggest the film is rather more hard edged than it is. But, never mind, Lucille Ball is excellent and we can see just what a loss to cinema she was when swallowed up by TV. Indeed all the cast a great, helped by the dialogue and plotting. George Sanders is his usual likable self but it is the Karloff cameo that shines and for me his surreal scene makes the film worth seeing on its own. Things could have been tightened in the middle when we almost forget there is a killer at all but things soon pick up and much fun is had by all.