I'm with you on this assessment, I must say--which is kind of a minority opinion regarding this film, with the (sometimes overweening) love for Bill Bowers that has been a staple of the FNF approach for lo these many years. All of his work is not on the same level, folks--compare this film to PITFALL from the same year and I think the difference will be readily apparent.

Winters played a number of these roles early in her career, and she's always pushing things too far--when she restrains herself (and you don't need all of your fingers intact on either hand to count 'em up...) she can be wonderful, but not here (and not in TAKE ONE FALSE STEP, or several other noirs where she's way too "on" for the good of the picture...