A reporter sleuths the mystery behind an oft-married Viennese doctor whose wives met mysterious fates.
Basil Rathbone
Dr. George Sebastian / Dr. Langamann
Ellen Drew
Linda Booth
John Howard
Gil Sawyer
Barbara Jo Allen
Louise Watkins (as Barbara Allen [Vera Vague])
Ralph Morgan
Dr. Charles Downer
Martin Kosleck
Maurice Gretz
Kitty Kelly
Winnie
Hugh O'Connell
Lawrence Watkins
Henry Victor
Furber (Uncredited)
Wanda McKay
Girl at Charity Bazaar (Uncredited)
James Seay
Intern (Uncredited)
William Benedict
Mickey Barnes (Uncredited)
George Chandler
Elevator Operator (Uncredited)
Edward Earle
Librarian (Uncredited)
Chuck Hamilton
Police Officer at Train Station (Uncredited)
Harry Hayden
Ticket Clerk (Uncredited)
Douglas Kennedy
Hotel Clerk (Uncredited)
John Laing
Intern (Uncredited)
Charles McAvoy
Officer Riley (Uncredited)
Howard M. Mitchell
Butler (Uncredited)
Ruth Rogers
Woman at Charity Bazaar (Uncredited)
Sheila Ryan
Hostess at Charity Bazaar (Uncredited)
Hugh Sothern
Dr. Hatch (Uncredited)
Max Wagner
Cab Driver (Uncredited)
Director
Tim Whelan
Screenplay
Howard J. Green
April 16, 2023
7
There is something really quite sinister to Basil Rathbone's title performance in this rather intimidating psychological thriller. We know from the outset that he has disposed of his wife "Ida" - ostensibly pneumonia - but the local physician "Dr. Downer" (Ralph Morgan) is suspicious. Shortly after cleaning up on the inheritance, he moves with his friend "Maurice" (Martin Kosleck) to start afresh. Now you don't have to be Einstein to recognise that these two men are more than just roomies, and that causes a bit of consternation when "Dr. Sebastian" finds new prey. This time, in the guise of the deeply troubled "Linda" (Ellen Drew). With a marriage and a trip to Quito on the cards, might history be about to repeat itself? Well, fortunately for "Linda" reporter "Sawyer" (John Howard) is also a bit suspicious of the man, and after a bit of investigation and a chat with "Downer", the two begin to piece together quite a different persona for Rathbone than the one he has been successful peddling thus far. Can they act in time to thwart his malevolent plan? Tim Whelan allows his star to exude menace here. The script is really only adequate, but the pace is good and the gradually accumulating sense of peril - and a wonderfully seedy contribution from the increasingly envious "Maurice" leads us towards a conclusion where nothing is predictable. Actually, on that front I was a little disappointed, but all in all, this is a dark and effective tale of manipulation that is well worth a watch.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00