Guy Carrell (played by Ray Milland) lives in constant fear of being buried alive because he believes that is what happened to his father who suffered from catalepsy. Carrell's paranoia is threatening to destroy his marriage to Emily Gault (played by Hazel Court), the daughter of the distinguished Dr. Gideon Gault (played by Alan Napier), whose protégé and Emily's former boyfriend, Miles Archer (played by Richard Ney), is trying to understand Carrell's obsession and cure him. Initially, it appears to work and the couple prepare to go to Venice for the honeymoon they never had as a result of his troubles. However, the cries of a cat trapped behind the wall paneling in the drawing room brings it all back. Archer convinces Carrell to confront his fear and he accompanies him along with Emily, Dr. Gault and his sister Kate (played by Heather Angel), who appears hostile to her brother's marriage, to the family vault to open his father's coffin and prove to himself that he was not buried alive. But, the key to his tomb is missing and Carrell is forced to break it open. A macabre surprise appears to bring on a heart attack and Carrell is pronounced dead by Dr. Gault and Archer. But is he, in fact, dead? His funeral is held and he is duly buried, after which, further strange happenings occur...
Effective, atmospheric and gripping shocker in which director Roger Corman creates much edge-of-seat suspense from the concept of a man living in constant dread of being buried alive. Especially when Carrell appears to have had a heart attack and died as a result of shock. The subsequent funeral service, his burial and its aftermath is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. The characterizations in Charles Beaumont and Ray Russell's script are good and add to the intrigue, mystery and suspense aspect since no one is quite what they seem. For instance, Carrell's sister, Kate (superbly played by Heather Angel), seems to dislike Emily, although it is hard to work out why or even if she is for or against her brother. Performances are good all round: Milland resists overplaying the part of the tortured Carrell and Court is effective in one of her many horror film heroine roles as Carrell's seemingly loving, caring and good natured wife. The lighting and art direction by Floyd Crosby and Daniel Haller, respectively, creates a rich (if artificial) period atmosphere and nightmarish quality.
Effective, atmospheric and gripping shocker in which director Roger Corman creates much edge-of-seat suspense from the concept of a man living in constant dread of being buried alive. Especially when Carrell appears to have had a heart attack and died as a result of shock. The subsequent funeral service, his burial and its aftermath is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. The characterizations in Charles Beaumont and Ray Russell's script are good and add to the intrigue, mystery and suspense aspect since no one is quite what they seem. For instance, Carrell's sister, Kate (superbly played by Heather Angel), seems to dislike Emily, although it is hard to work out why or even if she is for or against her brother. Performances are good all round: Milland resists overplaying the part of the tortured Carrell and Court is effective in one of her many horror film heroine roles as Carrell's seemingly loving, caring and good natured wife. The lighting and art direction by Floyd Crosby and Daniel Haller, respectively, creates a rich (if artificial) period atmosphere and nightmarish quality.