NovelistJosephShearingspecializedinusingrealcaseswhichtookplaceinVictorianEngland，alteringthemforfictionalpurposes.MOSSROSEin1947wasthefirstfilmtobemadefromhisnovels，thenin1948twoofhisworkswereadaptedforthescreen，thisfilmandTHEMARKOFCAIN.ThemoviestarsToddasarecentlywidowedmissionaryreturningtoherhomeinEnglandfromJamaica.Duringthevoyage，shemeetsMilland，acharmingthoughdangerousrascalwhoiswantedbypoliceinconnectionwithsomeunsavorydealings.MillandcontractsmalariawhileonboardtheshipandToddnurseshimbacktohealth.InLondon，Toddsettlesintoherhome，takinginboarderstomakeendsmeet.Millandarrives，movesin，andproclaimshisloveforher.Toddisthrilled，butitseemsratherobviousthatMillandisonlytoyingwithher.Millandfindssomeletterswrittentoherbyherfriend，Fitzgerald，inwhichFitzgeraldrevealssomeofhersexualindiscretions.SinceFitzgeraldisnowmarriedtothewealthyHuntley，MillandbelieveshecanusetheletterstoblackmailFitzgerald.Todd'sloveforMillandissogreatthatshegoesalongwiththeplan.Huntley，however，learnsoftheschemeandalsouncoversdetailsofMilland'sshadypast.Fearingforherlover'ssafety，ToddpoisonsHuntley，thenremainssilentwhenFitzgeraldisarrestedforthemurder.MillandhasbynowgenuinelyfalleninlovewithToddandthetwomakeplanstoleaveEngland.Beforetheycandepart，oneofMilland'sformerloversshowsupandTodd，inajealousrage，killsMilland，thenturnsherselfintothepolice. Thisisanintriguingfilm，althoughalittleonthetalkyside.Theperformancesareexcellentthroughout，withMillandshiningasthecad，thetypeofroleinwhichheexcelled.ThoughhespentmostofhistimemakingfilmsintheUS，heoccasionallyreturnedtohisnativeEnglandforaproductionandthiswashisfirstBritishfilmsinceFRENCHWITHOUTTEARSin1939.DirectorAllenwasalsoanEnglishmanwhochosetoworkintheUS，thisbeinghisfirstdirectorialeffortinhishomeland.ThiswasthefourthandlasttimeMillandandAllenwouldworktogether，theirpairinghavingbegunin1944withthewonderfullyeerieTHEUNINVITED.