Experiment Perilous (1944)

In 1903, a doctor suspects murder in the gothic Bederaux family.

Director:

Jacques Tourneur

Writers:

Warren Duff (screenplay), Margaret Carpenter (novel)

Stars:

Hedy Lamarr, George Brent, Paul Lukas

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Hedy Lamarr	...	Allida Bederaux
George Brent	...	Dr. Huntington Bailey
Paul Lukas	...	Nick Bederaux
Albert Dekker	...	Clag
Carl Esmond	...	Maitland
Olive Blakeney	...	Cissie
George N. Neise	...	Alec
Margaret Wycherly	...	Maggie
Stephanie Bachelor	...	Elaine
Mary Servoss	...	Miss Wilson
Julia Dean	...	Deria
William Post Jr.	...	District Attorney

Storyline

In 1903, Dr. Bailey meets a very strange woman on a train, then hears that she has died under mysterious circumstances. Through a friend, he becomes acquainted with the Bederaux family, all of whom seem to be neurotic and secretive; but the beauty of Alida Bederaux draws him into their circle...deeper than he'd planned. Who's in danger from whom? Who's crazy? Who can fathom the obscure motivations?

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Plot Keywords:

gothic | doctor | murder | woman in jeopardy | telephone call | 

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Genres:

Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angoisse

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is a common variation of a line from Hippocrates, the Greek Father of Medicine: "Life is short, art is long, decision difficult, and experiment perilous." The line is recited by Nick Bederaux in the film.

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Goofs

Towards the end of the film, when Dr. Bailey attacks Nick and the two briefly fight, it's very obvious that the people seen fighting are stunt doubles. Nick's stunt double doesn't even have the same hair color.

User Reviews

peril at the house..

Jack Tourneur knew how to build an ominous atmosphere :remember the scenes at the pool in "cat people",the meeting on the moor in "circle of danger" and almost everything in " night of the demon".

The meeting with the old Clarissa on the train,the station where she leaves the hero ,and the way she says goodbye (actually farewell) is almost supernatural.Then the extraordinary beauty of Hedy Lamarr and her picture add to build an eerie atmosphere ,sometimes recalling as user has pointed out ,"gaslight" .

The script,however ,does not always make sense ,and lacks focus ,unlike the three other works I mention.But just for the atmosphere ,this is another Tourneur you should not miss.