The Alpha Video DVD
The Amazing Mr. X/The Spiritualist (UK title), Bernard Vorhaus, USA, 1948, 78 mins, Treeline Films, Region 1
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Christie Faber (Lynn Bari) is still mourning the death of her husband though it happened two years ago. Wandering the beach at night, she encounters Alexis (Turhan Bey) - a man who knows mysteriously much about her past. After continously hearing a voice resembling that of her husband, and encountering a ghost-like presence in her house, she agrees to meet up with Alexis, who apparently is able to contact the dead. Christie's sister soon gets curious as to where her sister is going out to all the time, and soon gets involved in something a lot more complicated and dangerous than first initiated… This surprisingly solid noir thriller with a fantatic/supernatural touch actually manages to get under your skin at times though it was released in 1946. The eerie voice calling Christie, and the mystical supernatural happenings make the viewer fall into its' web until the plot unfolds to a surprising, though a bit non-solid, conclusion. The film has several well crafted and atmospheric shots, in particular worth mentioning are the beach scenes, and those with a supernatural touch as well as the scenes where Alexis tries contacting the dead (the alternative title in the UK is "The Spiritualist" - a more revealing title compared to the american "The Amazing Mr. X"). The shadowplay vivid in this film as in the noirs of the same period, suite the film's atmosphere. Actor Turhan Bay is well casted as the mysterious charlatan charmeur, who tends to work solely with female clients. Lunn Bari is also great as the more mature - yet confused - sister. The acting is in general iminent, and helps push the film forward to still being engaging and very watchable. As far as I know, film is public domain. 4 out of 6 - Reviewed by Media Cult |
