I had forgotten what a satisfying little thriller this was from watching it a couple of years ago. The story builds suspense in the first half by slowly revealing the mystery of it's title, with scene after scene adding dimension to what will eventually be revealed as Pete Morgan's fifteen year long nightmare. As Morgan, Edward G. Robinson brings some of the subtler aspects of his acting side to the story, at least in the early going when he's a warm and caring guardian to adopted daughter Meg. Later he dissolves into paranoia, until virtually reliving the events of that earlier time when he accidentally killed his lover, the basis for his forced life of seclusion. When you watch the film again, take note of the scene when Robinson's character lights the candle upon first entering the Red House, there's a great transformation shot that makes him fifteen years younger, erasing the creases in his forehead as he remembers the house 'just as it was'. That was just a great creative subtlety that worked amazingly well to establish Morgan's mental state.
The film also works for the excellent characterizations of Judith Anderson as Pete's devoted sister Ellen, and Allene Roberts as their adopted daughter Meg. Meg becomes involved in a romantic triangle of sorts when she begins to fall for Nath Storm (Lon McCallister), who in the early story is going steady with the local glamor girl Tibby Renton (Julie London). You know, if you take a look at London's film credits, she sure does show up in the oddest places, like a jungle woman in her very first picture, 1944's "Nabonga". Here, director Delmer Daves does his best to zoom in on repeated long glamor poses of both London and rival Roberts in close-ups that resemble screen tests. There's even a couple featuring Rory Calhoun's rugged good looks, even though he turns out to be a villain of the piece; an oddly well selected choice for the role he has.
Here's a puzzler - how did Nath know there was rifle in the closet? And still a bigger puzzler - How did Pete Morgan ever get away with it fifteen years ago? That was a point the film never adequately answers, even though it was mentioned that Meg's parents moved South and died in an accident to set up the adoption. Odd that no one from the town ever questioned their just disappearing and leaving a baby behind. But then again, the town seemed prone to rumor and half truths anyway, as established by the dinner scene when Nath was first hired by Morgan.
Others on this board have mentioned the intense musical score, and the harrowing night time scenes in the Oxhead Woods, all of which border the film on a horror piece as well as a mystery thriller. This one is well recommended to get your hands on, even better for one of those dark, stormy nights with lightning casting a dim glow while watching. You'll begin to believe Edgar G. Robinson when he states - '...you can never run away from the scream".
The film also works for the excellent characterizations of Judith Anderson as Pete's devoted sister Ellen, and Allene Roberts as their adopted daughter Meg. Meg becomes involved in a romantic triangle of sorts when she begins to fall for Nath Storm (Lon McCallister), who in the early story is going steady with the local glamor girl Tibby Renton (Julie London). You know, if you take a look at London's film credits, she sure does show up in the oddest places, like a jungle woman in her very first picture, 1944's "Nabonga". Here, director Delmer Daves does his best to zoom in on repeated long glamor poses of both London and rival Roberts in close-ups that resemble screen tests. There's even a couple featuring Rory Calhoun's rugged good looks, even though he turns out to be a villain of the piece; an oddly well selected choice for the role he has.
Here's a puzzler - how did Nath know there was rifle in the closet? And still a bigger puzzler - How did Pete Morgan ever get away with it fifteen years ago? That was a point the film never adequately answers, even though it was mentioned that Meg's parents moved South and died in an accident to set up the adoption. Odd that no one from the town ever questioned their just disappearing and leaving a baby behind. But then again, the town seemed prone to rumor and half truths anyway, as established by the dinner scene when Nath was first hired by Morgan.
Others on this board have mentioned the intense musical score, and the harrowing night time scenes in the Oxhead Woods, all of which border the film on a horror piece as well as a mystery thriller. This one is well recommended to get your hands on, even better for one of those dark, stormy nights with lightning casting a dim glow while watching. You'll begin to believe Edgar G. Robinson when he states - '...you can never run away from the scream".