SCREAM OF FEAR will definitely keep you guessing, thanks to a great performance by Susan Strasberg, fine performances by Ann Todd and Ronald Lewis, expert direction by Seth Holt outstanding cinematograpy by Douglas Slocombe and a clever script by Jimmy Sangster. This movie would have been great, except for some horrendous, unnecessary plot holes.
WARNING: SPOILERS THAT WILL RUIN THE MOVIE IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT
WHO called Penny, pretending to be her father? Penny discovers her father's dead body on a chair in the darkened den. She immediately races out on her wheelchair and calls Bob, who runs into the den. Bob sees Jane turn on the light as both enter the den. WHO moved the body? Jane is clearly not strong enough to do so; yet the body is missing. It's made fairly clear the Applebys have only two cars, a Rolls and a Simca. The Simca is missing, since the father is supposed to have taken it. However, when Jane invites Penny to go to town with her, Penny asks Bob to stay with her. So Jane says she will drive herself. However, when Bob discovers Penny's father's body, he takes her to the police in the Rolls. That should have set off alarm bells in Penny's head.
END OF SPOILERS The twist, ironic ending is on the level of THE SIXTH SENSE.It's too bad the plot holes keep this picture from ever rising to the level of that movie.
Nonetheless, for a great Strasberg performance and terrific atmosphere, I give SCREAM OF FEAR a "7".
WARNING: SPOILERS THAT WILL RUIN THE MOVIE IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT
WHO called Penny, pretending to be her father? Penny discovers her father's dead body on a chair in the darkened den. She immediately races out on her wheelchair and calls Bob, who runs into the den. Bob sees Jane turn on the light as both enter the den. WHO moved the body? Jane is clearly not strong enough to do so; yet the body is missing. It's made fairly clear the Applebys have only two cars, a Rolls and a Simca. The Simca is missing, since the father is supposed to have taken it. However, when Jane invites Penny to go to town with her, Penny asks Bob to stay with her. So Jane says she will drive herself. However, when Bob discovers Penny's father's body, he takes her to the police in the Rolls. That should have set off alarm bells in Penny's head.
END OF SPOILERS The twist, ironic ending is on the level of THE SIXTH SENSE.It's too bad the plot holes keep this picture from ever rising to the level of that movie.
Nonetheless, for a great Strasberg performance and terrific atmosphere, I give SCREAM OF FEAR a "7".