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Weird Woman More at IMDbPro »
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| Index | 17 reviews in total |
12 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
All star Universal starlet horror chiller, 30 March 2005
Author:
jharding44 from United States
Universal's Inner Sanctum mystery series gets a lift with not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE horror queens from this genre: Evelyn Ankers, Anne Gwynne, Lois Collier, newcomer Kay (Jackie Lou)Harding, and borrowed from Val Lewton's RKO unit, Elizabeth Russell. Ankers, Gwynne and Collier all privately joked about the script which had them all competing for Chaney's affections, when in 'real life' Chaney was not any of the girls' favorite leading man; Ankers and Gwynne, being best friends, would constantly break up laughing during filming because the script had Ankers being so mean to Gwynne. The end result of filming shows none of the comedic goings-on and the mystery-chiller is a high camp surprise that only Universal could produce. Reginald LeBorg directed and according to Gwynne was a good sport dealing with the 'break-ups' between her and Ankers during filming. Flavorful music, very familiar to Universal horror fans, and spooky autumn-like surroundings on a dark college campus add to the suspense. Definitely the BEST of the Inner Sanctum series from Universal.
12 out of 12 people found the following review useful:
Better than Average Inner Sanctum Mystery, 8 February 2002
Author:
Michael Lefkowitz (mlefkowitz@nj.rr.com) from United States
Weird Woman was one of several mystery films with supernatural overtones shot by Universal in the 1940's starring Lon Chaney, Jr. as part of the Inner Sanctum series (using the title of the popular radio suspense program). Chaney was always the lead. This entry is probably the second best in the series surpassed only by Calling Dr. Death (1943), the first of the Inner Sanctum pictures. Weird Woman was based on Fritz Leiber's novel The Conjure Wife, a very good read which was later done on television with Larry Blyden. Chaney is a professor of sociology who has devoted his academic life to rational thought and logic and the fight against superstition, witchcraft and magic. When he marries an exotic young women who secretly practices sorcery and brings her back to his campus home, strange events are unleashed. The film captures the tensions and jealousies of the competing faculty members and their wives and is well acted by a strong cast including Anne Gwynne, Evelyn Ankers (often Chaney's leading lady), Ralph Morgan (the brother of Frank Morgan, the Wizard of Oz), and Elizabeth Russell. Chaney gives a compelling performance as the rational professor who suddenly finds his comfortable, logical world upset by superstition and witchcraft. The film is short, moves quickly, has a nice climax, and is fine as a "B" programmer. If you want to see how good Leiber's work really can be as a film, however, compare this 1944 version with the 1962 British remake Burn, Witch, Burn with Janet Blair which is is a truly intriguing and genuinely scary film.
10 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Engaging little thriller, 26 December 2004
Author:
Wayne Malin (wwaayynnee51@hotmail.com) from United States
A professor (Lon Chaney Jr.) at a college returns from a visit to a
South Seas island with his native wife (Anne Gwynne). His ex girlfriend
(Evelyn Ankers) is not pleased. Chaney makes his wife burn all her
superstitous, good luck charms. Then everything in his life goes
horribly wrong.
Fun movie. It's fast-moving and very interesting. Chaney is just so-so
but Gwynne is beautiful and very good as his wife. The best performance
is by Ankers--she was usually playing the "good girl" in pictures--here
she plays the villain and she's just great! This is one of the few
times she was allowed to show her acting ability.
This was remade as "Burn Witch Burn" in the 1960s. That was a better
movie but this still is a neat little film. Recommended.
9 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Weird Woman (1944) ***, 22 September 2006
Author:
JoeKarlosi from U.S.A.
One of the better films in Universal's INNER SANCTUM series of
mysteries to star Lon Chaney, and based on the novel CONJURE WIFE. As a
suave and calculated writer of a recent book about dispelling false
superstitions, Lon is married to a lovely young girl named Paula (the
adorable Anne Gwynne) whom he first met at a voodoo ritual on an island
some years ago and who is still interested in the occult, magic, and
strange rituals. When all sorts of odd occurrences and deaths
transpire, the blame is laid at the feet of the "witchy" Paula, much to
her husband's chagrin.
This installment benefits from a good cast. Anne Gwynne has always
received my vote for the most attractive of the '40s Universal babes,
and Evelyn Ankers (THE WOLF MAN, THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN) is a close
second and earns extra points in this one for portraying a baddie this
time around, much against type. Elizabeth Russell turns in a strong and
compelling performance. Director Reginald LeBorg makes good use of
dark, windy nights and eerie atmosphere to nice effect. The subject was
tackled again later for the 1962 British film BURN WITCH BURN.
7 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
A Woman Scorned.........., 3 October 2006
Author:
(bsmith5552@rogers.com) from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
"Weird Woman" was the second of six "Inner Sanctum" mysteries adapted
from the popular radio series of the day produced in 1943-45 by
Universal and starring Lon Chaney Jr.
In this installment we begin with the young wife, Paula Reed (Anne
Gwynne) of College Professor Norman Ried (Chaney), returning home in
the middle of the night from an unknown destination. Reed is concerned
about her irrational behavior. We then flashback to their initial
meeting on an unnamed tropical island. It seems that Paula had been
raised by a group that were involved in some sort of witchcraft and
voodoo.
Norman and Paula marry and return to Norman's home in the US. They
attend a welcome home party where Norman introduces the people to his
new bride. Totally surprised is Ilona Carr (Evelyn Ankers) who thought
that she had been the apple of Norman's eye. Others at the party who
welcome Norman's new bride are Professor Millard Sawtelle (Ralph
Morgan) and his wife Evelyn (Elizabeth Russell), the Dean of Reed's
college, Septimus Carr (Harry Hayden), Ilona's brother and Norman's
ally, Women's Dean, Grace Gunnison (Elisabeth Risdon).
Scorned by Reed's rejection of her, Ilona begins to lay a plan for his
destruction. Meanwhile, Reed has become a successful author and
scholar. Ilona meanwhile convinces the wimpish Professor Sawtelle that
Reed is planning to expose him for plagiarizing a thesis in order to
write his own successful book. Sawtelle becomes despondent and commits
suicide. His wife blames Reed for causing her husband's suicide.
A young hero worshiping student Margaret Mercer (Lois Collier) goes to
work for Reed and develops a crush on him. Her boyfriend David Jennings
(Phil Brown) becomes insanely jealous and Ilona uses this to her
advantage.
Reed follows his wife on one of her late night outings to find out
where she is going. What he finds out changes the whole course of the
story and results in further tragedy.
Chaney as always is excellent. He made even a low budget feature such
as this better just by his presence. Anne Gwynne is lovely as Chaney's
mysterious wife. Evelyn Ankers, Universal's Queen of the "B" horror
movies stands out as the scheming Ilona. And yes you do get to hear her
trademark blood curdling scream over the course of the film. Ralph
Morgan has little to do and is killed off far too early in the story.
The under appreciated Elizabeth Russell (who had appeared in several
Val Lewton films of the same period) with her scary eye piercing stare
also stands out in the supporting cast.
Pretty good little mystery.
7 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
WEIRD WOMAN (Reginald LeBorg, 1944) **1/2, 10 November 2006
Author:
MARIO GAUCI (marrod@melita.com) from Naxxar, Malta
This had always been the one "Inner Sanctum" I was most interested in
because it was an adaptation of Fritz Leiber's "Conjure Wife", later
filmed as a superior British horror film, NIGHT OF THE EAGLE aka BURN,
WITCH, BURN! (1962). This version is highly enjoyable, even if some of
the fun to be had is the result of its unexpected goofiness and
campiness (at least when compared to the deadly serious 'remake'). The
would-be sinister native rituals consist of nothing more than harmless
Tahitian dancing and risible mumbo-jumbo! Lon Chaney's irresistibility
to the female sex is unconvincingly stretched to no fewer than 3 women
in the film when, ultimately, he is no more than an amiable beefcake of
a leading man!
Still, the female roles here are surprisingly strong: Anne Gwynne (as
Chaney's superstitious native wife), Elizabeth Risdon (as the
acid-tongued Dean), Elizabeth Russell (as the ambitious wife of
Chaney's senior colleague) and especially Evelyn Ankers (relishing a
rare villainous role as Chaney's vengeful ex). Ralph Morgan (as
Russell's ill-fated husband and Chaney's direct competitor) also makes
a good impression. While the film is occasionally atmospheric, it
suffers in comparison with NIGHT OF THE EAGLE and that film's memorable
climax is sorely missed (especially since the supernatural element is
heavily toned down here). A highlight of the film is Ankers'
nightmarish vision as she is haunted by her victims into confessing her
crimes.
P.S. As with the previous entry in the series, CALLING DR. DEATH
(1943), the Ygor theme from THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942) is
incorporated into the music score! By the way, am I the only one
bothered by the fact that Chaney is billed merely as "Lon Chaney"
rather than "Lon Chaney Jr." - or, for that matter, the fact that the
credits merely state that the film is based on a story by Fritz Leiber
without mentioning its actual title?
6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Liked it., 10 October 2002
Author:
cliff-p (cliff@perriam.fsnet.co.uk) from London, England
After 40-odd years of watching horror films,I finally caught up with this one. My expectations were not high and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found the opening satisfyingly creepy as the movie is liberally larded with all the necessary elements of the genre e.g. howling wind, "haunted house" organ music, Lon Chaney's thoughts vouchsafed to us in the form of voice-overs etc etc. I thought the tension was maintained throughout the film, with the exception of the jungle scenes which are dopey.The ending is fantastic but appropriate. The companion feature on the video, "The Frozen Ghost", I thought was dull.
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
Lon Chaney, Jr. - The Love God, 15 October 2007
Author:
bensonmum2 from Tennessee
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
While doing field research, Professor Norman Reed (Lon Chaney, Jr.)
meets and falls in love with a beautiful, exotic woman. He marries her
and brings her home. Things couldn't be any better for the Professor.
That is, until he discovers his wife is still practicing the voodoo
type ceremonies of her homeland. He forbids her from carrying on with
the superstitious mumbo-jumbo. But at what price? Professor Reed's life
is suddenly turned upside-down and he faces the ultimate – a charge of
murder. Is it the voodoo or something more close to home but equally
sinister that threatens Professor Reed's future?
Of the six Inner Sanctum mysteries, Weird Woman is one of my favorites
(Pillow of Death being the other). I suppose some who've seen the movie
might think I've overrated it, but these kinds of movies work for me.
Weird Woman is a quick-paced mystery that, at just over 60 minutes,
never outstays its welcome. The "mystery" isn't really hard to figure
out, but the all the back-stabbing and other trickery is a lot of fun.
The cast is a blast. Besides Chaney, Weird Woman features some of the
best females working in B-films of the 40s – Anne Gwynne, Evelyn
Ankers, Lois Collier, and Elizabeth Russell. Overall, I've go very few
complaints.
One thing that really puzzles me every time I've seen Weird Woman is
the way the script has almost every female in the cast react to Chaney.
Watching beautiful women like Gwynne, Ankers, and Collier swoon after
Chaney is a hoot!
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Silly but Fun (spoilers), 10 November 2004
Author:
(dj_bassett) from Philadelphia
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Very loose adaptation of Fritz Leiber's classic horror novel CONJURE WIFE, with Lon Chaney as the irresistible lover-man professor who marries a woman on a tropical island (who clearly is meant to believe a kind of voodoo). He marries her, takes her home, and gets upset when he discovers she's still practicing magic. But she's convinced she needs to, and when a bunch of bad things start happening he almost becomes convinced himself. INNER SANCTUM installment is fun if you're in the right mood for it, with a lot of pleasant bitchiness from a mostly female cast and a very tight running time. Chaney is more a lovable galoot than a smooth talking loverman, but is game throughout. It doesn't follow the novel much at all, though, which is disappointing.
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Do you believe in voodoo?, 1 March 2010
Author:
Alex da Silva from United Kingdom
Prof Norman Reed (Lon Chaney Jnr) returns from the jungle with his new
wife Paula (Anne Gwynne). He slips back into life at the college but
his wife has brought with her a multitude of voodoo trinkets. Two other
women at the college, Evelyn (Elizabeth Russell) and Ilona (Evelyn
Ankers), don't take kindly to Paula and her jungle ways. Two deaths
follow and the guilty party must be brought to justice. Will
superstition win the day and dish out some justice?
It's a well-paced film that has good performances from all, especially
Elizabeth Russell as Evelyn. She is both funny and scary and has a very
direct, no-nonsense approach which gives her the best lines. Evelyn
Ankers is also good as Ilona. We know who the guilty party is as the
film unfolds but this does not take any mystery away from the
proceedings as we are never quite sure what to expect next. A nice
little film from the "Inner Sanctun" series of 6.
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