Oh those bad people in vintage horror films, always trying to con their spouses. In the 1965 low-budget NIGHTMARE CASTLE (the first of two DVD titles from EastWest Entertainment), money is the main reason. And to attain it, Paul Muller has to get rid off Barbara Steele—until the dashing doctor in her care (she is fragile, don’t you know) tries to come to her rescue. That’s about the premise of this gothic black and white period piece that is a fine time waster with lots of atmospheric shots and eerie music. The girl trap in a haunted mansion gimmick does work to its advantage and there are some scenes of genuine creepiness, but as a whole things tend to be a tad repetitive. Still, all is well with the actors and the direction, so you may find yourself enjoying it more than I did.
Then in the 1963 THE GHOST (another period piece), Barbara Steele is at it again, this time playing the vilainess who wants to off her invalid husband for his fortune; and in living colors, no less. With he help of her lover Peter Baldwin—her hubby’s doctor—she sets the wheels in motion and ultimately lives to regret it. What’s good about this film, when overlooking its similar plotline, is the way all is played out: From the multiple ghostly apparitions to the creepy sound of one’s music box, everything is old school horror. But what stands out most is how more effective the direction in this one is. Style and scares have never been this much fun, I’m telling you. You may even catch yourself re-playing Steele’s on-screen big emotional breakdown à la PSYCHO (with the brutal swerving of a razor blade and everything). Definitely the strongest of the two films.
Until next post—Martin
