Olivia de Havilland is one of my all-time favorite actresses. She's been marvelous in many films and deservedly earned the Oscar twice. However, for a fan, it's not especially enjoyable watching her in "The Screaming Woman". I think most of it is that she overacts and the director should have done a better job in getting a slightly more restrained performance. It also didn't help that the story was very simple and had to be padded in order to get the film to full length.
When the film begins, Laura (de Havilland) has just returned home from an extended stay in a mental institution. You can tell she is rich because it's describes as a 'sanitarium'...a nice way of referring to such a place!
Soon after her arrival home, Laura is walking about her property and hears a woman's muffled scream coming from beneath the ground! However, because of her reputation, everyone just assumes it's her imagination. And, try as she might, she cannot get anyone to listen.
Apart from the overacting (only in a couple scenes), the film suffers from logical problems. After all, when Laura gets a kid to help her dig and he ALSO hears the screaming, this should have solved the problem....but still no one (including the boy's father) believes her. Folks are TOO quick to laugh her off and ignore her when five minutes of digging would have ended the problem. As a 30 minute production this might have worked...as it is, it's difficult to recommend.
By the way, I noticed one reviewer lamented that it was NOT available on DVD or video...but it IS available on YouTube....which is how I saw the film.
When the film begins, Laura (de Havilland) has just returned home from an extended stay in a mental institution. You can tell she is rich because it's describes as a 'sanitarium'...a nice way of referring to such a place!
Soon after her arrival home, Laura is walking about her property and hears a woman's muffled scream coming from beneath the ground! However, because of her reputation, everyone just assumes it's her imagination. And, try as she might, she cannot get anyone to listen.
Apart from the overacting (only in a couple scenes), the film suffers from logical problems. After all, when Laura gets a kid to help her dig and he ALSO hears the screaming, this should have solved the problem....but still no one (including the boy's father) believes her. Folks are TOO quick to laugh her off and ignore her when five minutes of digging would have ended the problem. As a 30 minute production this might have worked...as it is, it's difficult to recommend.
By the way, I noticed one reviewer lamented that it was NOT available on DVD or video...but it IS available on YouTube....which is how I saw the film.