Lady on a Train

Charles David's 1945 film begins with a woman fond of detective novels witnessing a real murder. Nikki sees a killing in a building from her train window; when she goes to the police nobody believes her and she is told she reads too much. She then seeks out the crime writer she admires and sets about investigating on her own, which draws the killer's attention to her. The film carries comedy, mystery and musical at once, with Deanna Durbin both running the investigation and singing. The tone is light, but noir lighting is used in the suspense scenes and the movement between the two modes is its most interesting quality. It takes place at Christmas and the New York of the period is built in the studio. Who it's for: viewers who like classic Hollywood mystery and light crime. Who it's not for: anyone expecting serious suspense; the film turns to joking often.