Both The Lodger and Hangover Square were set in Victorian London. Burly Laird Cregar in each case becomes the leading suspect in a string of murders. These killings touch closer and closer to Cregar's would-be girlfriend, which in the case of The Lodger is lovely Merle Oberon.

George Sanders, who normally steals the show with wisecracks, has a subdued role. In both films, he plays an inspector who proves Cregar's guilt. The creepy side of Sanders' personality is missed (Rebecca, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) but he is always welcome in a film.

It is obligatory to tell the sad tale of Laird Cregar. Very successful playing (literally) the heavy in Hollywood films, he dreamed of being a leading man in the vein of Cary Grant. Even if he wasn't so physically imposing, such a career was not in the cards, as his screen persona was melancholy. Nonetheless, he dropped weight quickly in order to achieve marquis status, and died of a heart attack at the age of 28.

But at least he gave us two great films as a parting gift. It would be difficult to imagine The Lodger and Hangover Square without him, as he dominates each film despite a billing below George Sanders, who in reality has a supporting role. Cregar's distant eyes and singsong speaking voice, along with his intimidating presence, makes him a perfectly cast as a tragic, demented villain.

The Lodger was originally based on a novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes. Alfred Hitchcock had an early success with it as a 1927 silent film. It was remade as a British talkie in 1932, and reworked again in 1952 as Man in the Attic. In the present adaptation, director Brahm has been criticized for making Cregar's guilt as 'Jack the Ripper' all too obvious. But honestly, Cregar is so good at playing twisted stalkers that any other outcome would be a letdown.

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