Poet Killer Believed To Be At Bay! Lured (also known as Personal Column) was directed by Douglas Sirk, with the screenplay written collectively by Leo Rosten, Jacques Companéez, Simon Gantillon and Ernst Neubach. The film features Lucille Ball, George Sanders, Charles Coburn, Cedric Hardwicke, Joseph Calleia and Boris Karloff. Michel Michelet composed the music, and William H. Daniels served as cinematographer. A serial killer is operating in London, targeting young women he meets through newspaper personal ads. He’s frustrating law enforcement with puzzling poems, making him difficult to track down. When a friend of dancer Sandra Carpenter (Ball) vanishes, the police ask her to pose as bait in hopes of drawing out the murderer. There's much to appreciate about Lured, assuming you understand what kind of film it is going to be. The movie has an inconsistent feel throughout, and considering there were four writers involved, that isn’t entirely unexpected. It’s a remake of Robert Siodmak’s 1939 film *Pièges*, which was set in Paris; however, the new version struggles to decide whether it should be a comedic mystery or a dark, serious thriller. It's unfortunate because, despite being filmed on sets, Sirk and Daniels manage to create an unsettling visual atmosphere when the story unfolds within those constructed London environments. The cast is consistently engaging, although you can notice Ball trying to control her natural comedy instincts during some of the more dramatic parts; however, she takes charge and looks quite beautiful and vibrant. Karloff’s admirers will enjoy a lengthy cameo appearance, with the iconic Boris playing an exaggerated version of unstable characters he could portray effortlessly. Sanders is appropriately aloof, Coburn is lively, while Hardwicke and Calleia bring a sense of refinement to their supporting roles. Michelet's musical score complements the film’s inconsistent tone; at times it sounds as if it belongs in a screwball comedy from years before. Nevertheless, with competent work coming from Sirk, Daniels, and the main cast members, it is an enjoyable picture, even if it occasionally feels too cheerful and relaxed for its own benefit. 6.5/10

Source on TMDB