FACES IN THE DARK

Mai Zetterling and John Gregson

FACES IN THE DARK (1960). Director: David Eady. Colorized. 

Richard Hammond (John Gregson of Fright) is a gruff and unpleasant developer who is working on a revolutionary new light bulb called the Apollo. This bulb explodes, blinding Hammond. His wife, Christiane (Mai Zetterling), who was about to divorce Richard, decides to stay and take care of him, and she takes him for a rest stay at their place in Cornwall. Other guests and residents include Richard's mistreated business partner, David (Michael Denison), Richard's irresponsible brother, Max (John Ireland of Gunslinger), the chauffeur Clem (Tony Wright of The House in Marsh Road), and the maid Janet (Nanette Newman of The Painted Smile). Richard actually seems to be adjusting to his vision loss rather well, but then he gets the notion that things in the household just aren't right. Is he being paranoid or mentally unstable, as his wife suggests, or is he truly the victim of a diabolical plot?

Gregson with Tony Wright

Faces in the Dark is based on a novel by the authors of the source material for Les Diaboliques and Vertigo. It is also a tricky suspense tale that will keep you wondering exactly what is going on in the background. Gregson gives an excellent performance, perfectly convincing in his blindness, and remaining true to his grumpy characterization throughout, although he eventually becomes pitiful. Zetterling, Denison and the others are all on target, with the exception of Ireland, who gives a surprisingly  perfunctory performance. Although the film lacks the slick quality and pacing of other British thrillers of the period, it's great in its depiction of the harrowing struggle of Richard to uncover the truth, whatever it may be, and survive. The movie makes clear, as Richard states, that a blind person is easily fooled by his enemies. 

Verdict: Solid lead and supporting performances help bolster this interesting suspense film. ***. 

THE SPANIARD'S CURSE

Lee Patterson and Susan Beaumont

THE SPANIARD'S CURSE (1958). Director: Ralph Kemplen. 

Guy Stevenson (Basil Dignam) is sentenced to death in a British court after being convicted of murdering an aging party girl. Stevenson mentions something about "Assize of the Dying," which turns out to be a curse on those who passed judgment on him. Margaret (Susan Beaumont), the ward of the sentencing judge, Manton (Michael Hordern), is not so sure of Stevenson's guilt, and neither is Mark (Lee Patterson), the half-brother of the victim. With the help of Manton's son, a reporter named Charles (Tony Wright), Margaret and Mark try to uncover the truth. Stevenson dies of a heart attack, and the jury foreman is run over in the street ... Is the curse beginning to work? 

Michael Hordern and Tony Wright

The Spaniard's Curse is more a work of irony than it is of the supernatural. I was surprised that it wasn't based on a play because at times it seems very talky and stage bound. There is, however, a creepy scene in a cemetery at night, and the film does work up some minor suspense at the very end. The identity of the killer will probably not come as much of a surprise, but it leads to an interesting, dramatic and affecting climax. Patterson, a Canadian-born actor who appeared on Surfside 6 and who also did several British films, is okay as Mark, and Beaumont makes an appealing heroine. Wright just sort of walks through the movie, but Horden is excellent and easily out-acts everyone else, although there are some on-the-money supporting performances. 

Verdict: Minor but somewhat entertaining British suspense film with fine work from Hordern. **1/2. 

THE HOUSE IN MARSH ROAD

Tony Wright and Patricia Dainton

THE HOUSE IN MARSH ROAD (1960). Director: Montgomery Tully. 

David Linton (Tony Wright) is a struggling novelist who lives off of his increasingly impatient wife, Jean (Patricia Dainton). Jean inherits a lovely if somewhat rundown country house -- Four Winds -- from her aunt, which means no more paying of rent, but even that doesn't satisfy David. The house is supposedly haunted by a poltergeist that the housekeeper, Mrs. O'Brien (Anita Sharp-Bolster), calls "Patrick," only because he reminds her of her late husband. As David concocts a plot to do away with Jean for her money and property so that he can be with sexy typist Valerie (Sandra Dorne), Patrick keeps interfering ...

The acting is good in Marsh Road, with Sharp-Bolster perhaps making the best impression as the peppery servant who always speaks her mind. It's an entertaining enough time-passer with a truly despicable protagonist in David. There is an interesting score by John Veale. 

Verdict: Acceptable British suspense film with supernatural overtones. **1/2.