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Vengeful witch Vanessa Whitlock (strikingly played by the slim, sharp-featured Yvette Rees, who looks like Barbara Steele) gets resurrected in the present day after her grave is desecrated by land developers. Vanessa, assisted by angry warlock Morgan Whitlock (a fine, forceful performance by Lon Chaney, Jr.), exacts a harsh revenge on the Lanier family, whose ancestors buried her alive 300 years ago. Director Don Sharp, working from a compact script by Harry Spalding, relates the absorbing story at a steady pace. Moreover, Sharp does an expert job of creating an eerie, misty, midnight-in-the-cemetery gloom-doom atmosphere, stages the shock scenes with commendable gusto, and delivers a few nice murder set pieces. The sturdy acting from a solid cast qualifies as another significant asset: Jack Hadley as the smart, rationale Bill Lanier, Jill Dixon as Bill's charming wife Tracy, David Weston as Bill's likable son Todd, Diane Clare as the fetching Amy Whitlock, Marie Ney as the fragile, elderly Malvina Lanier, Viola Keats as the scared, superstitious Helen Lanier, and Victor Brooks as the puzzled Inspector Baldwin. Arthur Lewis' crisp, agile black and white cinematography, the grimly serious tone, Carlo Martelli's spooky'n'shuddery score and the thrilling fiery conclusion are all likewise up to speed. A worthy and rewarding fright flick.
score 8/10
Woodyanders 25 January 2008
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1807125/ |
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3-3-2021 04:54:12