Games (1967)

A young couple who are into kinky "mind games" get more than they bargained for when a mysterious woman comes into their lives.

Director:

Curtis Harrington

Writers:

Gene R. Kearney (screenplay), Curtis Harrington (story),

Stars:

Simone Signoret, James Caan, Katharine Ross

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simone Signoret	...	Lisa Schindler
James Caan	...	Paul Montgomery
Katharine Ross	...	Jennifer Montgomery
Don Stroud	...	Norman
Kent Smith	...	Harry Gordon
Estelle Winwood	...	Miss Beattie
Marjorie Bennett	...	Nora
Ian Wolfe	...	Dr. Edwards
Anthony Eustrel	...	Winthrop
Eloise Hardt	...	Celia
George Furth	...	Terry, Party Guest
Peter Brocco	...	Count, Party Guest
William O'Connell	...	Party Guest
Ena Hartman	...	Party Guest
Joanne Medley	...	Party Guest

Storyline

A bored art-collecting Manhattan couple invite an interesting aging cosmetics saleswoman to enliven their dull lives by directing sex and death "games." Featuring a corpse encased in plaster and displayed in the living room as art, and a twist ending.

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Plot Keywords:

mind game | saleswoman | seduction | deceit | bare chested male | 

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Taglines:

Passion wears a mask of terror in this strangest of all games!

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Genres:

Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1967 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Satanische Spiele

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 97 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to director Curtis Harrington, the credited set decorator provided by the studio proved unusable so he was given a paid vacation during the production. Costume designer Morton Haack actually did the set decoration but, because this was against union rules, he was not credited for his work.

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Goofs

When Katherine Ross is traveling up in the lift with the candle stick; a spot can be seen to be being used to simulate light thrown by the candles.

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Connections

Features The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)

User Reviews

Playing games on each other in the manner of "Sleuth"

This film reminds me of "Sleuth", the movie based on a play by Anthony Shaffer released in 1972. Like in "Sleuth", people play games on each other and do not reveal their alliances, their true intentions or their true self. The story is acted like in a theatre play. The sets, representing a New York town house in a prosperous neighbourhood, are nicely done and give a vivid impression of the middle sixties' trends in fashion design and interior decorating - again you can compare it with the lavish set and the different costumes used by the protagonists in "Sleuth". For once, James Caan plays a slick urbanite, and he does it quite well. Don Stroud has a small part, a good actor whose screen presence and performance are always memorable. And then there is Simone Signoret ... as always she is absolutely riveting, and she puts a lot of charm in her rather pityful character. She uses her French accent very much to her advantage! "Games" is an elegant, suspenseful thriller for people who like to see a play now and then. Only right at the end you will know who has won!