• Another in a string of strong atmospheric Val Lewton 1940’s “horror” films that aren’t really horror films
  • Tight 70 minutes, a sequel to 1942’s Cat People. Kent Smith is as stiff as he was on the first one, and sadly Simone Simon (first billing here) is only in a few minutes of the film as the Ghost of Irena. The young Ann Carter is the main protagonist- she’s good
  • Lulls you in—takes its time (despite being 70 mins) building up the character and putting you in her psychological headspace- she’s a loner, has an imagination, there’s cruelty in the world in the form of her friends at school
  • A great frame at the 18 minute mark- “I wish for a friend” and then the lights go down at her garden, another nice one of the girl looking out the window of her bedroom at the 58 minute mark—a wide shot
  • A nice décor in the big living room of the old lady’s gothic mansion
  • It is Robert’s Wise’s debut (he shares directing credit) after working on part of Magnificent Ambersons but this is Lewton’s film- producer as auteur here
  • Recommend but not in the top 10 of 1944