Haas is Back

STRANGE FASCINATION-1952-A German pianist Paul Warren (Hugo Haas) is brought to America by wealthy Diana Fowler (Mona Barrie; in THE DEVIL'S MASK). One of his concerts is an unbelievable 3 dollars a ticket! He gets involved with Margo (Cleo Moore), a female dancer and although their relationship is platonic she moves in with him. After he professes his love for her they go on tour together and get married. A flood wrecks the tour and he's reduced to playing in polka halls and then hits the bottle when he sees Margo flirting with her former dance partner Carlo (Rick Vallin). Later Warren is blackballed and plays gin joints while Margo comes on to drunks. He smashes his hand in a printing press for insurance money and winds up losing his arm. Margo kind of destroys him and his career but she gets away with it, declaring her love for her Carlo and leaving Paul. He plays one armed for a bunch of bums while his patron Fowler and her daughter (Karen Sharpe) watch (?). 

Typical moralistic Haas drama with older man getting regrettably involved with younger woman and paying the price with Hugo once again not only co-starring but directing, writing and co-producing. 

“Blonde Bombshell” Moore was in her first of seven movies for Haas! Although once considered for the role that went to Marilyn Monroe in ALL ABOUT EVE her career never really took off and she retired from acting in 1961. Sadly, in 1973 she passed away from a heart attacked at age 48. 

Thanks for reading!