Except for one thunderstorm, this movie hasn't much lightning to offer, nor much action either. The supporting cast almost saves "Lightning Strikes Twice" from being a complete catastrophe, but it still isn't worth 60 cents.

The plot is very flimsy, substituting the eternal hexagon for the eternal triangle. Although acquitted by a hung jury, the hero, Richard Todd, is still suspected of murdering his evil, beautiful wife. Since Todd gives such an insipid performance, it is difficult to believe that the could murder anything. A New Yorker, played with incredible shallowness by Ruth Roman, decides to prove this after their very first encounter. Their personalities undergo a radical change every ten minutes, and every change is more trite than the one before. The result is no personality at all.

The supporting players more than make up for the transparency of the stars, but they can not overcome the weak plot as well. Zachary Scott in the role of a wealthy rancher and Janet Welles, who plays his wife, add reality to the film by their life-like acting. But Mercedes McCambridge does the best job of all as the murderess. Her portrayal of a disappointed lover is one the audience can well sympathize with; in fact, this reviewer would have rejoiced to see her brutally strangle the heroine. Unfortunately, the colorless forces of good win out, and the show ends with the usual clinch.

Director King Vido made some ghastly mistakes in planning details. While Richard Todd is holing up in some barren valley, he seems to be well supplied with hair tonic. Despite many days in the wilds, his pate is slick and well parted, his shirt perfectly tailored and his trousers finely creased. The ultimate example of Vido's misdirection is the marriage scene, in which the Justice of the Peace is equipped with a neon heart and arrow sign, twittering birds, and a record of Massenet's sickly-sweet "Meditation" from "Thais."