Jacques Tourneur (1904–1977)

A great cast and a great ending make this film memorable. Ray is on the run from bad guys who tried to kill him, framed him for murder, and are now convinced he has their $350,000 bank robbery money. He falls for model Anne Bancroft. Meanwhile, he's being shadowed by an insurance investigator, James Gregory (Inspector Luger!!), who wants to find the money as well, but doesn't believe it's such an open and shut case on the murder or the money. He's also married to Marlon Brando's sister. See, I told you this was interesting. The on location scenes in Los Angeles and Teton, Wyoming are as good as they can possibly be. Amazing cinementography. I won't call it noir, however, because the scenes of the Greyhound Scenicruiser rolling down the highway are just too awe-inspiring and nostalgia-inducing. In any case, no need to say more, because that would give away too many pleasures. But I will add it that the two bad guys, played by Brian Keith and Rudy Bond, are just as interesting as the other characters. A winner all around, and directed by the incredible Tourneur. Based on a novel by David Goodis, which I read some years ago and probably need to read again now.… (more)

“There's no beauty here, only death and decay. Everything dies here. Even the stars.” — Paul Holland

Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur teamed up to create another atmospheric masterpiece in the horror genre in I Walked With a Zombie. RKO’s Roy Webb once again supplied an appropriately moody score in this film of mystery and voodoo. Lewton proved that a big budget wasn’t everything with a string of films made during the 1940s now highly regarded as some of the finest in the genre. Photographer J. Roy Hunt deserves some credit here as well; his use of black and white to create a mood both eerie and real is a big plus.

Underrated Frances Dee stars as the Canadian nurse offered a job on a sugar plantation in St. Sebastion in the West Indies. Her thoughts of palm trees and ocean breezes lead her to accept, but the viewer senses danger when she is asked whether she believes in witchcraft before consenting. She meets the enigmatic Paul Holland on the ship and in no time falls in love with her lush surroundings and the enigmatic Paul. His wife Jessica is ill and unresponsive. She is the reason Paul’s half-brother Wesley drinks. Dee learns the real story while lunching with Wes, when a song played by the locals at the cafe reveals all.

Dee is lovely and genuine here, giving a nice performance. She honestly misreads Paul’s feelings about his wife. A walk through a cane field by someone on a windy night is particularly eerie. Like many of Lewton’s best efforts in the genre, I Walked With a Zombie is dreamlike and darkly romantic, a foreboding hovering over every frame, even in brighter moments. There is almost a gothic feel to this one. If Rebecca or Jane Eyre were filmed as horror stories, on a much smaller budget, they would be I Walked With a Zombie.

This is a cinematic masterpiece and a must-see film for fans of classic films. Just don't watch it alone on a dark and rainy night.… (more)

Despite a script by Richard Matheson and a host of aging but classic actors, this falls flat from start to finish. The main problem is Price, whose character is not only unlikable, but uninteresting. Karloff is wasted, Lorre is somewhat endearing, but could play this part in this sleep. At least Rathbone gets to recite Macbeth. Orangey (aka Rhubarb) the cat gives the best performance, though Joyce Jameson deserves some credit for being willing to make a complete fool out of herself singing--although I'm sure some of the screeching was dubbed in. Save your precious 90 minutes for something else. Only watch this if you are trying to extend your life, since it seems twice as long as it actually is.… (more)