Lake possessed a unique low-key charisma. Though she played nearly all of her roles at the same easy pitch, she could do anything, from drama to comedy. Her career was doomed by three strong elements: wild, disruptive behavior (which was attributed to everything from alcholism to untreated paranoid schizophrenia), poor scripts and typecasting.
Though Lake could easily have been as praised for her comedy talents as for her dramatic abilities, (which she proved in Sullivan's Travels (1941) and I Married a Witch (1942) ) she was typecast for a reason. Lake played the possibly shady lady better than any other actress, because when she turned out to be innocent in the end, it was easy to accept; her cryptic manner could hide sweetness just as easily as it could corruption.
Two of her most successful film noirs are the roles in which she and Alan Ladd began their famous film partnership. They are also an excellent showcase for her cool, but charming persona.
This Gun for Hire (1942)
Directed by: Frank Tuttle
Also Starring: Alan Ladd, Robert Preston
This early film noir was momentous for many reasons. It was the first time Lake and Ladd were paired onscreen, Lake received her first screen kiss (from Preston) and the film turned Ladd into a star. The production was meant to be a vehicle for Lake, partly in response to her comedy triumph in Sullivan's Travels (1941).
While This Gun for Hire was a great success for Lake, she regretted that the role put her back into the sort of role that she'd so happily escaped in Sullivan. She plays nightclub magician and her part requires her to sing, dance, perform sleight of hand and wear long false nails, all things she was somewhat clumsy in handling (though you'd never know it from the results).
Lake's boyfriend is a police detective (Preston) who wants her to retire and marry him. Before she can take him up on his offer, she is recruited to spy for the government, and ends up a hostage of Raven (Ladd), the hitman her boyfriend happens to be trailing.
While Preston plays an appealing character, the scenes between Lake and Ladd are by far the most touching in the movie. Though Lake is Ladd's prisoner, it is she who dominates him with her warmth and emotional maturity. Though he tries to resist, she starts to soften her captor and he comes to enjoy the attention she gives him.
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