Merle Kramer works as a stenographer for a psychiatrist. She is casually dating Karl Benson, a private eye and former cop. Merle mentions in passing that one of her boss's patients is an author with recurring dreams of murdering his wife, and she includes the fact that the wife owns valuable jewels. When the wife is found murdered in a manner identical to that of her husband's dream, the husband is naturally the prime suspect. But as the investigation of the police and insurance investigator Joe Cooper proceeds, it turns out that several people in the case, including Merle, are not what they seem.
A private investigator is hired by a beautiful woman to find her missing husband, who is suspected of murder. As the investigator delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of deceit, blackmail, and double-crosses. He finds himself increasingly entangled with the femme fatale, questioning her motives and his own safety.
Manhandled is a lesser-known noir film that received a mixed reception upon its release. While some critics acknowledged its atmospheric tension and Duryea's typically menacing performance, others found the plot convoluted and predictable. It's often regarded as a solid, if unremarkable, entry in the film noir genre.
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The film features a memorable chase sequence through a bustling department store, highlighting the era's consumer culture.
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