Light years better than you'd expect given that this was released amongst the glut of horror films featuring faded leading ladies. Ruth Gordon is hired on as Geraldine Page's maid in an attempt to locate a missing friend. She's very quickly on to the macabre shenanigans of her new employer. Suffice to say, Page has an inordinately beautiful garden (for someone living in the desert of Tucson)! Director Lee Katzin creates a really creepy movie, utilizing two great actresses, cinematography by Joseph Biroc and a perfectly malevolent music score by Gerald Fried. The acting is excellent, with Page really running wild. Gordon, surprising in a purely dramatic turn, is every inch her equal. The supporting cast is fine and includes Robert Fuller, Mildred Dunnock and Rosemary Forsyth as one of Page's few curious neighbors. Produced by Robert Aldrich, this is a terrific companion piece to his earlier WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE & HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE.
