10 Lesser Known Film Noirs You Need To See

10. Stolen Face (1952)

Produced by Hammer Film Productions Ltd., Stolen Face diverges from the studio's horror catalogue, but contains various elements that would feature in its later films, particularly its Frankenstein offerings.

Paul Heinreid (of Casablanca fame) is plastic surgeon, Dr. Philip Ritter, who has a whirlwind romance with concert pianist, Alice Brent, played by Lizabeth Scott. Engaged to another man, Alice deserts Philip, but soon realises her mistake. Meanwhile, Philip tries to move on by reconstructing the face of Lily Conover (Mary Mackenzie), a convict whose felonies seem to have stemmed from a severe facial scar that she sustained during The Blitz.

Transforming Mary into Alice's double (except for Mary's Cockney accent), Philip marries Mary to try and aid her reform. She makes his life hellish and, to make matters even worse, Alice returns, having waited for Philip, forcing Philip to decide what to do with Mary.

Quite an engrossing film, Stolen Face showcases the grandeur of even a smaller 1950s British film whilst highlighting Hammer's love of bizarre and horrific storytelling. Hearing Scott being voice-dubbed with a Cockney accent is, however, unintentionally funny.