QUICKIE: A woman is haunted by the ghost of her (supposedly) dead ex-husband.
But wait! This time it's a REALLY GOOD movie!
PLOT: On the beach one night, Christine Faber (Lynn Bari), two years a widow, thinks she hears her late husband Paul calling out of the surf. She then meets a tall dark man, Alexis (Turhan Bey), who seems to know all about her life. After more ghostly manifestations, Christine and younger sister Janet (Cathy O'Donnell) become clients of the psychic Alexis; but he in turn finds himself manipulated into deeper deception than he had in mind when Christine's ex-husband shows up to blackmail Alexis. Only Christine's new fiance, Martin Abbott (Richard Carlson) has his wits about him enough to see the fraud and deception going on and through his help, everything comes to a climactic, dramatic ending.
SUMMARY: This is a fabulous movie! This was the 2nd time I've watched it and I'm sure I'll watch it another handful of times. It's so very well done and beautifully shot too. High contrast dramatic lighting always thrills me. The story is very well put together and there are many levels here: the naive wealthy, the evil wealthy, the logical wealthy, and the deceptive crooks. I never expected her husband to still be alive, that was a great twist, even if it's been done before. I got lost in the movie and really enjoyed it. I think what makes good filming is the variety in shots. From long views over the sea, to close ups of Christine's desperation, to the indoor expanse of their gorgeous estate. It's visually engrossing as well as intellectually and emotionally. That always puts a film into the top ranks for me: it's got to be pretty! And this movie is stunning.
The Amazing Mr. X ~ 1948 -BW
Tormented ~ 1960 -BW
QUICKIE: A man is tormented by the heavily perfumed, seaweed ghost of the ex he murdered.
PLOT: On an island community off of California, Tom Stewart is preparing to marry the woman he loves. His plans are threatened by his old girlfriend, Vi, who shows up secretly. During a confrontation at the top of the island's lighthouse, the railing breaks and Vi falls. Tom has a chance to save her but doesn't. Tom's relief at Vi's accident soon fades when her vengeful spirit begins showing up wherever he goes...
SUMMARY: "What is that smell?" is frequently said when the ghost of Vi comes around. I guess she's a self conscious ghost who's embarassed by her stink of seaweed, so she covers it up with loads of perfume. This is the only courteous thing about the ghost of Vi who is out to make sure that no one will have Tom but her. Problem is, Tom is gonna marry another girl. So, hauntings and seaweed droppings ensue, with only the blind little old lady figuring out Tom killed a girl who's now a slimy seaweed ghost. ("Just like that little boy who drowned ten years ago"...) The younger sibling Sandy gets all mixed up in the danger when she witnesses Tom kill a man who tried to blackmail him with his knowledge of the disappearance of Vi. Things come to a very scary, hauntingly fitting end.
