The Amazing Mr. X
| The Amazing Mr. X (The Spiritualist) | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Bernard Vorhaus |
| Written by | Crane Wilbur Muriel Roy Bolton Ian McLellan Hunter |
| Produced by | Benjamin Stoloff |
| Starring | Turhan Bey Lynn Bari Cathy O'Donnell |
| Cinematography | John Alton |
| Edited by | Norman Colbert |
| Music by | Alexander Laszlo |
Production company | Ben Stoloff Productions |
| Distributed by | Eagle-Lion Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Amazing Mr. X also known as The Spiritualist is a 1948 American horror thriller film noir directed by Bernard Vorhaus with cinematography by John Alton. Like Nightmare Alley (1947), this film tells the story of a phony spiritualist racket. The film is prominently featured in Alton's book on cinematography Painting with Light (1949).
The film stars Turhan Bey, Lynn Bari, Cathy O'Donnell, and Richard Carlson. Eagle-Lion Films signed a contract with Carole Landis for the part played by Bari, but Landis committed suicide a few days before shooting began. The film is in the public domain.[1]
Plot
Two years after her husband's death, Christine Faber (Lynn Bari) thinks she hears her late husband (Donald Curtis) calling out of the surf on the beach one night. She meets a tall dark man named Alexis (Turhan Bey) who seems to know all about her.
After more ghostly manifestations, Christine and her younger sister (Cathy O'Donnell) become enmeshed in the strange life of Alexis; but he in turn finds himself manipulated into deeper devilry than he had in mind.
Cast
- Turhan Bey as Alexis
- Lynn Bari as Christine Faber
- Cathy O'Donnell as Janet Burke
- Richard Carlson as Martin Abbott
- Donald Curtis as Paul Faber
- Virginia Gregg as Emily
- Harry Mendoza as Hoffman
Production
The film was known as The Spiritualist.[2] It was an original story by Crane Wilbur and was bought by Producers Releasing Corporation in 1947 with Wilbur to direct.[3][4]
Eventually the project was acquired by Eagle Lion as a vehicle for Turhan Bey who was under contract to the studio.[5] Bernard Vorhaus was to direct and Muriel Bolton to adapt the story into a script.[6] Vorhaus did the film under a two-picture deal he signed with Eagle Lion. The other lead roles went to Lynn Bari and Cathy O'Donnell; the latter was borrowed from Sam Goldwyn.[7]
Crane would go on to become one of Eagle Lion's main writers.[8] Vorhaus later said he was unhappy with the script however and asked for a rewrite. He says producer Ben Stoloff allowed him to hire Ian McLellan Hunter who rewrote the script in a week.[9]
Filming started 5 January 1948. Vorhaus says the shoot went for three weeks.[10]
Bey was under contract to Eagle Lion. He later recalled the film as "a fantastic role with wonderful people to work with and a lovely death scene I completely loused up... I just wish all my roles had been as interesting as that one."[11]
At one stage the film was also known as The Mystic.[12]
Reception
At previews, audiences found parts of the film to be funny, resulting in unintended laughter.[13]
Eagle Lion were happy with the film. However when Vorhaus turned down the next movie they offered him, I Married a Communist the company terminated its association with him.[14]
See also
Notes
- ^ Sullivan, Monica (1998). VideoHound's independent film guide. Visible Ink Press. pp. 12–13.
- ^ Of Local Origin New York Times 2 Feb 1949: 37.
- ^ DRAMA AND FILM: Dorothy Patrick May Win Lead in 'Promise' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 26 July 1947: A5.
- ^ E.G.ROBINSON SIGNS FOR U-I FILM ROLE New York Times 4 Aug 1947: 14.
- ^ Hedda Hopper--LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD Los Angeles Times 29 Nov 1947: 7.
- ^ METRO WILL FILM NOVEL BY RENAULT: ' Return to Night,' Book That Won $175,000 Prize, May Be Greer Garson Vehicle By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]02 Dec 1947: 37.
- ^ O'DONNELL, BARI IN FILM WITH BEY New York Times 26 Dec 1947: 21.
- ^ Crane Wilbur, Star of Silent Films, Carves New Career as Producer: Flicker Star Doing Well as Producer Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 14 Nov 1948: D1.
- ^ Vorhaus p 116
- ^ Vorhaus p 116
- ^ Weaver, Tom (2003). Double Feature Creature Attack: A Monster Merger of Two More Volumes of Classic Interviews. McFarland. p. 81.
- ^ Of Local Origin New York Times 6 Mar 1948: 9.
- ^ Higham, Charles; Greenberg, Joel (1968). Hollywood in the Forties. London: A. Zwemmer Limited. p. 67. ISBN 0-302-00477-7.
- ^ Vorhaus p 119
References
- Vorhaus, Bernard (2000). Saved from oblivion: An Autobiography. Scarecrow Press.
External links
- The Amazing Mr. X is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- The Amazing Mr. X at IMDb
- The Spiritualist at the TCM Movie Database
- The Amazing Mr. X at AllMovie
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