The Spiritualist (1948)
"The Amazing Mr. X" (original title)

On the beach one night, Christine Faber, two years a widow, thinks she hears her late husband Paul calling out of the surf...then meets a tall dark man, Alexis, who seems to know all about ... See full summary »

Director:

Bernard Vorhaus

Writers:

Crane Wilbur (original story), Muriel Roy Bolton (screenplay),

Stars:

Turhan Bey, Lynn Bari, Cathy O'Donnell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Turhan Bey	...	Alexis
Lynn Bari	...	Christine Faber
Cathy O'Donnell	...	Janet Burke
Richard Carlson	...	Martin Abbott
Donald Curtis	...	Paul Faber
Virginia Gregg	...	Emily

Storyline

On the beach one night, Christine Faber, two years a widow, thinks she hears her late husband Paul calling out of the surf...then meets a tall dark man, Alexis, who seems to know all about such things. After more ghostly manifestations, Christine and younger sister Janet become enmeshed in the eerie artifices of Alexis; but he in turn finds himself manipulated into deeper deviltry than he had in mind...

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Plot Keywords:

balcony | phonograph | psychic | fingerprints | cult film | 

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Taglines:

In his eyes, the threat of terror! In his hands, the power to destroy!

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 July 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aaveitten talo

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ben Stoloff Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Carole Landis was originally scheduled to play the part taken by Lynn Bari, but she committed suicide a few days before shooting began.

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Quotes

Janet Burke: Alexis, do you think I'd make a good celestial companion?
Alexis: Darling, I think you'd be wonderful!
Janet Burke: And we'd love each other through all eternity?
Alexis: Oh, even longer!

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Horror: Ghosts (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Prelude for Piano, Op. 28 Nr. 4 in E minor"
by Frédéric Chopin
Used in orchestral music over opening credits

User Reviews

Off-beat, satisfying B thriller

This unusual little thriller, which turned up in a DVD collection of cheapie horror "classics" that I picked up, turns out to be a real discovery. Unusually fine camera-work, a smart, witty script, and good performances (especially by the feline Bey) suggest the makers took a few tips from the Val Lewton films, and maybe from Gregg Toland's cinematography on "Citizen Kane." (Note the fine deep-focus shots.) The set-up, with Bey as a dubious medium enticing a widow by claiming contact with her late husband, allows for some fun sequences involving the medium's tricky house, and some good spooky haunting scenes. All around, an enjoyable, tightly-made little treat.