LADY OF VENGEANCE (1957). Director: Burt Balaban.
William Marshall (Dennis O'Keefe), a tough American publisher in England, importunes a criminal mastermind, Karnak (Anton Diffring of Circus of Horrors), to plan the execution of the man he holds responsible for his pretty young ward, Melissa's, suicide-by-train. Obviously there are assorted complications. This movie is on the level of a TV production, with lots of unanswered questions, and a twist that sharp viewers will probably see coming. O'Keefe is well cast, even if he isn't quite up to his more emotional scenes. Ann Sears is lovely as the secretary who has long been in love with him. Anton Diffring is as sneeringly effective as ever as the ever-superior, stamp-collecting Karnak. Vernon Greeves is properly oily as the make-out artist and musician who dallies with Melissa. This isn't terrible, just not much to rave about.
Verdict: Flaccid suspenser. **.
The only name I recognize here is Diffring, who indeed was one of the great character actors. Worth watching just to see him work!
ReplyDelete-C
Diffring always added an extra-special flavor to every movie he was in!
ReplyDelete