The Castro Theater in San Francisco is showing a new 35mm print of The Spiritualist (The Amazing Dr. X) on Friday, Feb. 3 at 10 pm along with The Big Combo, directed by Joseph H. Lewis, at 7 pm.
shareI saw the two movies -- The Big Combo & The Spiritualist -- as a John Alton Tribute last night at the Noir City Film Festival. As a director of photography, Alton rules! Great angle shots and excellent use of shadow & light.
In the Spiritualist, Turhan Bey is the most suave and sophisticated huckster I've ever seen. His first appearance in the movie should make one laugh, it is so contrived. But, he is so cool and debonair in his dinner jacket and pencil thin mustache and slightly Asian eyes that one can forgive the B-movie quality of the scene.
Movie girl: I was really touched by The Spiritualist. Was this THe Amazing Mr. X? At the end I found myself very sad that CAthy O'Donnell's character could not be with Mr. X. I gathered he was a crook who reformed when he found out his friend's murderous intentions toward his ex-wife (LYnn BAri's character). Originally it was supposed to be a scam to drive his ex-wife crazy.
Did anyone else see the symbolism of Mr. X releasing his pet bird at the same time as he was lying on the couch? After that we gather he died from the gunshot wound his friend inflicted on him. Also, the sister was really in love with him despite her fiancee MArtin. When she realizes that he is part of the plot she says she is "worried for him" rather than about him.
Turhan Bey was certainly very charming here!