Directed by Jacques Tourneur
1943/USA
RKO Radio Pictures
First viewing
#161 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
IMDb users say 7.2/10; I say 7.5/10
Paul Holland: Everything good dies here. Even the stars.
This superbly shot and lit psychological horror film from the Val Lewton shop at RKO falters in the story department.
Sugar mill owner Paul Holland (Tom Conway) hires a young Canadian nurse (Frances Dee) to care for his catatonic wife on a Caribbean island. Paul’s half-brother Wesley believes that Paul caused the wife’s illness when he prevented Wesley and her from running away together. But voodoo culture pervades the island…. Could Jessica be a zombie?
This film is absolutely beautiful. There is something to savor in almost every frame. I especially like the way many of the scenes feature light streaming through blinds, leaves, or ironwork creating a kind of dappled effect. The one islander zombie in the film, played by Darby Jones, adds an element of horror merely by standing and staring. Unfotunately, I couldn’t get emotionally invested in the love triangle between the brothers and the wife nor in the budding relationship between Paul and the nurse. I’m glad I saw the film but I doubt I will watch it again.
The only film I’ve seen Francis Dee in before is the 1933 Little Women. It was hard for me to believe either her terror or her yearning. She seems really grounded for a fantasy film.
Trailer
Val Lewton! It is beautiful and fun.
Have been without internet connection for a couple of days, so I need to get caught up. I love this film with the rather unfortunate title…….everything is suggested but never really shown. Like you, I didn’t really care about any romance theme. The feeling of the film is eerie and again proves that black and white film is better than color for this type of film.
I didn’t mention how good I thought all the voodoo scenes were. I especially like the guy who was “calling” Jessica by doing a kind of a limbo dance with the voodoo doll.
Yes, this film should be remembered for its artwork cinematography and respect for voodoo culture, NOT for the dismal acting or the plotholes. Since I managed to ignore thise points I quite enjoyed the film. The zombie with the bugeyes is creepy!.
I’m glad there are a bunch more Val Lewton gems I have yet to see. As you know, I was crazy about Cat People. I also loved Curse of the Demon/Night of the Demon.
I really love this film, and I used to show it a lot when I taught courses on the Gothic and JANE EYRE. I might have been more invested in the story because I knew it was a take on Bronte’s novel going in. Of course, I admire all of Lewton’s strangely literate, atmospheric horrors, but this one and BEDLAM have special appeal because of their source materials. The calypso song by Sir Lancelot is one of my favorite scenes, and Theresa Harris gives another great, underappreciated performance. It’s good to see people writing about this film!
I love that calypso song and all the parts with the voodoo a lot. The Jane Eyre tie-in could have been awesome with a better Rochester and Jane. The cinematography saves the whole thing for me. I will go on to watch all the Val Lewton films I can get my hands on because of that. I still haven’t seen Bedlam or so many more. Thanks for commenting!
Yeah, nice write up. I like this one, I do, but I feel little compunction to watch it again, as you say. I definitely think the voodoo scenes are pretty fantastic. And woohoo, same rating!!!