Scarlet Street

Chris Cross (Edward G. Robinson), a mild mannered bank clerk, celebrates his 25 years of service, but he is unhappy with his dead end job and his shrieking harpy of a wife. The only pleasure he finds in his life is painting, which he does as a hobby. On the way home from his 25th anniversary dinner, Chris sees Kitty March (Joan Bennett) being slapped around by a man, her slimy boyfriend Johnny (Dan Duryea). Chris chases Johnny off and begins to see Kitty socially. Unfortunately for Chris, Kitty has no interest in him whatsoever, and egged on by Johnny, seeks to bleed him for money. Even more unfortunately for Chris, his comments about painting give Kitty and Johnny the mistaken impression, that he is a rich and famous artist. They set out to squeeze as much money as they can out of Chris, who is now hopelessly in love with Kitty.