I must not be a fan of ghost stories. Even the Henry James novella "The Turn of the Screw" seems like one of his lesser, albeit best known, efforts.
This movie is well directed, well photographed, well acted. One can admire what one doesn't like.
Cornelia Otis Skinner is a smashing villain. She makes Gale Sondergaard seem like Shirley Temple. Probably her stage experience causes her to play to the balcony, and the director allowed it. So she is mentally ill and menacing and more.
And is it me or is there a very strong hint of lesbianism in her feverish attachment to the memory of Gail Russell's character's late mother? Russell is appealing. Ray Milland is one of my favorites among leading men of the time. And I like Ruth Hussey very much but noticed here that her voice sounds a lot like that of Eve Arden. Hussey often played sarcastic characters and I've seen many of her movies. This is the first time I noticed it.
The explanation of what has gone on may ruin the ghostly quality for some. For me it helps..
This movie is well directed, well photographed, well acted. One can admire what one doesn't like.
Cornelia Otis Skinner is a smashing villain. She makes Gale Sondergaard seem like Shirley Temple. Probably her stage experience causes her to play to the balcony, and the director allowed it. So she is mentally ill and menacing and more.
And is it me or is there a very strong hint of lesbianism in her feverish attachment to the memory of Gail Russell's character's late mother? Russell is appealing. Ray Milland is one of my favorites among leading men of the time. And I like Ruth Hussey very much but noticed here that her voice sounds a lot like that of Eve Arden. Hussey often played sarcastic characters and I've seen many of her movies. This is the first time I noticed it.
The explanation of what has gone on may ruin the ghostly quality for some. For me it helps..