Lombard is possessed by spirit of executed serial murderess while consulting a phony psychic (Dinehart). Turns out the phony psychic was one of the killer's lovers, and she has unfinished business with him. Meanwhile a scientist is experimenting with the serial killer's body, while Lombard's fiancée rides (not literally, though he is played by Randolph Scott) to her rescue.
Halperin's follow-up to his minor masterpiece White Zombie is a bit of a mess; beautfully filmed and atmospheric, but bearing all the signs of a troubled production and probable studio interference. Lombard is quite good, but miscast and obviously aware of it, Scott is stiff, and Dinehart is hammy. Warner's Frankenstein-like scientist and Mercier's seedy landlady make up for those deficits, though. Cute coda, too. The movie did not go over well with audiences, who expected something like one of Lombard's screwball comedies, and has never been released on DVD.
-Dave W. |