This is another edition for the aisles in the under the radar video series. This classic isn't overlooked, it is known somewhat but it's not one talked about much. I really liked this film as it felt like it could easily have been another anthology tale for "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" as the story has all the familiar elements, you'd see in each of the stories.
It has a simple plotline which I wouldn't say is anything new, but it's really in the execution that makes it stand out. It's true this film is a slow burn, but I honestly don't mind, I think sometimes patience really works to the suspense's benefit; let alone the fact the film isn't too long, so you don't have to worry about it overstaying it's welcome. Some of the first and second half of the film is pretty much a who dunnit murder mystery. You can say like in all who dunnits your already in suspense as you already know the protagonist is already in danger because the killer is in the house.
I really like the atmosphere in the film, from the stormy weather, darkness, and even quiet of the house, let alone the film being in black and white it just creates an unfriendly and unsafe environment; even when nothing is happening you know it will and soon. There is even some good cinematography, one of course most notable is the camera focusing and slowly zooming in on a single eye. It's very eerie as we see that eye is filling its dark void with its next target. But just the look on that eye really gives you the creeps because you can tell how crazy this unknown assailant truly is because no one is home.
The characters are good, mainly the main protagonist Hellen (Dorthy McGuire). Really did a solid job, portraying a mute which really isn't easy to do as you're not delivering dialog, but you communicate and act through just your physical performance and facial expressions. Her character is sympathetic as she is a kind soul that likes to care for others. But has grand desires, as you can tell she truly wants more out of life, from being a nurse and marrying her significant other Doctor Perry. Except for one big obstacle she must overcome, which is her mute condition, which I'll get more into later.
I like that we get to participate a little in the film as we are kind of the ones doing most of the investigating for the main girl. Her silence in a way works to her advantage as she is a good listener and able to pick up on certain things faster. This can also make her adversaries easily underestimate her as she's far from helpless.
The other protagonist you can say is the ailing mother Mrs. Warren (Ethel Barrymore). Despite a person that has one foot in death's door you can tell she's not about to check in just yet. I like there is this feisty energy to her as she got some good lines. It's true she might come off as rude but only to people in which she senses a bad vibe about. But we see she is nice to Helen, just as she treats her well, she does likewise, in a way she's sort of the mom that Hellen never had and one she vitally needs. I like how supportive she as she wants Hellen to leave so that she doesn't get stuck in life, but also for her own good as she knows her life is in danger as we see she suspect the killer is near.
The third of course is Dr. Perry, despite in the film for a little while, you really get a good feel for his character and the relationship both Hellen and him share for one another. He's strong in body, purpose and feeling, I love the fact that he gives a frak about what's happening but also about Helen and what she wants in life and wants to do everything in his power to see her desires fulfilled. But both have something in common as both are outsiders and afflicted with some prejudice in some sense. Which makes them both even more sympathetic because neither harmed or wanted to harm anyone; if there is harm it's really in certain people one of them Steve whom I'll get to in a while.
I really like how the whodunit element is handled, despite a small list of suspects you never sure who the killer is, from the lack of clues but also the fact we really don't know anyone outside the circle of trust which consists of Hellen, the ailing mother, and the good doctor.
Like one character Steven Warren who is a character I plain dislike, the guy is a loser. From his poor viewpoint on women, you can tell why this guy romances never went the distance. But also, he is kind of a narcissist, from what he says and his behavior, there are visible signs. From a scene where he talks about Helen thinking she should not just stay in the house, but stay mute. Hearing that from him I remember thinking "Why the hell do you care, you're not her boyfriend, you don't know jack squat what she wants." I know sounds bold but being alone with this guy long enough, let's just say Ruroni Kenshin would be tempted to draw out his non-lethal blade. He probably wants Hellen to stay because she's an easy target for him, may 'be another so call conquest yet to happen. All I can say to him is news flash from reality, "She's not that into you, so it's not going to happen." This negativity and strange behavior on this character could make him a red hearing or not, you'll just have to find out watching the film.
The other thing I like about the film is that it's a psychological thriller. Hellen, like a lot of the protagonists in suspense thrillers sometimes have that psychological Achilles heel they must learn to overcome because we know their life depends on it. I'll admit you feel a little frustration how despite her life in danger, she still doesn't allow herself to speak out; we know ever chance she blows is a chance she gives her enemy to kill her.
But you really do sympathize with her as we know she's not content staying mute it's killing her. We hear her silence is caused by a very traumatizing past in the loss of her family, which is understandable as that's something no one ever wants to happen and god forbid it ever does. The worst part about this silence is how it broke her whole perspective on life. In one scene it's a dream/imagination sequence on her deepest desire, but in that we she once again refuses to talk, despite the fact she's in the realm of dreams. That's just an awful feeling, not even allowing yourself the freedom imagining your own voice or having any other voice; it just shows how psychologically broken she truly is and even more makes you want her to win, because she deserves happiness and to be whole once more. She is also remaining mute along with living in the house because both seem safe, but as we see in the film their both not safe as neither equal salvation.
The third and final half of the film is of course the payoff as it's one big deadly game of hide and seek. You are almost at the edge of your seat just hoping Hellen can get far enough away from the villain but also making sure she doesn't make the wrong moves and go to the right places. Can Hellen survive the night and break free of the grip of fear from the killer and herself, you'll just have to watch and find out.
This is an under the radar gem, worth venturing down the staircase for.
Rating: 3 stars.
It has a simple plotline which I wouldn't say is anything new, but it's really in the execution that makes it stand out. It's true this film is a slow burn, but I honestly don't mind, I think sometimes patience really works to the suspense's benefit; let alone the fact the film isn't too long, so you don't have to worry about it overstaying it's welcome. Some of the first and second half of the film is pretty much a who dunnit murder mystery. You can say like in all who dunnits your already in suspense as you already know the protagonist is already in danger because the killer is in the house.
I really like the atmosphere in the film, from the stormy weather, darkness, and even quiet of the house, let alone the film being in black and white it just creates an unfriendly and unsafe environment; even when nothing is happening you know it will and soon. There is even some good cinematography, one of course most notable is the camera focusing and slowly zooming in on a single eye. It's very eerie as we see that eye is filling its dark void with its next target. But just the look on that eye really gives you the creeps because you can tell how crazy this unknown assailant truly is because no one is home.
The characters are good, mainly the main protagonist Hellen (Dorthy McGuire). Really did a solid job, portraying a mute which really isn't easy to do as you're not delivering dialog, but you communicate and act through just your physical performance and facial expressions. Her character is sympathetic as she is a kind soul that likes to care for others. But has grand desires, as you can tell she truly wants more out of life, from being a nurse and marrying her significant other Doctor Perry. Except for one big obstacle she must overcome, which is her mute condition, which I'll get more into later.
I like that we get to participate a little in the film as we are kind of the ones doing most of the investigating for the main girl. Her silence in a way works to her advantage as she is a good listener and able to pick up on certain things faster. This can also make her adversaries easily underestimate her as she's far from helpless.
The other protagonist you can say is the ailing mother Mrs. Warren (Ethel Barrymore). Despite a person that has one foot in death's door you can tell she's not about to check in just yet. I like there is this feisty energy to her as she got some good lines. It's true she might come off as rude but only to people in which she senses a bad vibe about. But we see she is nice to Helen, just as she treats her well, she does likewise, in a way she's sort of the mom that Hellen never had and one she vitally needs. I like how supportive she as she wants Hellen to leave so that she doesn't get stuck in life, but also for her own good as she knows her life is in danger as we see she suspect the killer is near.
The third of course is Dr. Perry, despite in the film for a little while, you really get a good feel for his character and the relationship both Hellen and him share for one another. He's strong in body, purpose and feeling, I love the fact that he gives a frak about what's happening but also about Helen and what she wants in life and wants to do everything in his power to see her desires fulfilled. But both have something in common as both are outsiders and afflicted with some prejudice in some sense. Which makes them both even more sympathetic because neither harmed or wanted to harm anyone; if there is harm it's really in certain people one of them Steve whom I'll get to in a while.
I really like how the whodunit element is handled, despite a small list of suspects you never sure who the killer is, from the lack of clues but also the fact we really don't know anyone outside the circle of trust which consists of Hellen, the ailing mother, and the good doctor.
Like one character Steven Warren who is a character I plain dislike, the guy is a loser. From his poor viewpoint on women, you can tell why this guy romances never went the distance. But also, he is kind of a narcissist, from what he says and his behavior, there are visible signs. From a scene where he talks about Helen thinking she should not just stay in the house, but stay mute. Hearing that from him I remember thinking "Why the hell do you care, you're not her boyfriend, you don't know jack squat what she wants." I know sounds bold but being alone with this guy long enough, let's just say Ruroni Kenshin would be tempted to draw out his non-lethal blade. He probably wants Hellen to stay because she's an easy target for him, may 'be another so call conquest yet to happen. All I can say to him is news flash from reality, "She's not that into you, so it's not going to happen." This negativity and strange behavior on this character could make him a red hearing or not, you'll just have to find out watching the film.
The other thing I like about the film is that it's a psychological thriller. Hellen, like a lot of the protagonists in suspense thrillers sometimes have that psychological Achilles heel they must learn to overcome because we know their life depends on it. I'll admit you feel a little frustration how despite her life in danger, she still doesn't allow herself to speak out; we know ever chance she blows is a chance she gives her enemy to kill her.
But you really do sympathize with her as we know she's not content staying mute it's killing her. We hear her silence is caused by a very traumatizing past in the loss of her family, which is understandable as that's something no one ever wants to happen and god forbid it ever does. The worst part about this silence is how it broke her whole perspective on life. In one scene it's a dream/imagination sequence on her deepest desire, but in that we she once again refuses to talk, despite the fact she's in the realm of dreams. That's just an awful feeling, not even allowing yourself the freedom imagining your own voice or having any other voice; it just shows how psychologically broken she truly is and even more makes you want her to win, because she deserves happiness and to be whole once more. She is also remaining mute along with living in the house because both seem safe, but as we see in the film their both not safe as neither equal salvation.
The third and final half of the film is of course the payoff as it's one big deadly game of hide and seek. You are almost at the edge of your seat just hoping Hellen can get far enough away from the villain but also making sure she doesn't make the wrong moves and go to the right places. Can Hellen survive the night and break free of the grip of fear from the killer and herself, you'll just have to watch and find out.
This is an under the radar gem, worth venturing down the staircase for.
Rating: 3 stars.