MovieChat Forums > Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958) Discussion > Unforgetable and haunting

Unforgetable and haunting

posted 16 years ago by pcwagener-1
6 replies | jump to latest

I saw the movie in 1960 as a young student in South Africa and it has remained unforgetable, something few movies can boast about. It has the most surprising ending of any movie, which clarifies the mysteries of the other characters, such as her uncle, who confirms that the stranger is indeed her "dead" brother. Incidentally the plot has a South African connection in that Kimberley inherited the diamond fortune of her brother (which was mined in Kimberley, South Africa!). The car registration starts with TJ, the Johannesburg number.

[–] dp-131 14 years ago

I first saw it new in 1958 and have loved it ever since, despite the surprise twist ending. I bagged it on vhs in the early 80s and now have the dvd and watch it two or three times a year. In a lecture on film appreciation I once ran the car race sequence as an exemplar of film montage. But I must admit I never noticed the odometer reading! Given that he did it in just a few seconds over four minutes, and seems to have been travelling at about 70, he should have covered something under four miles.

[–] Mee_Too 12 years ago

We're going to watch it on TCM this evening...it's scheduled to begin in a few minutes.

Haven't ever seen it, but it sounds very interesting!

[–] walkinginrain 12 years ago

I love the photography in this movie, it's just beautiful!

The story certainly fooled me, about half way through, I wrongly deduced Todd's character must have been an Insurance Investigator.....wrong!!

Such a small love. Such a little tear.

[–] Prismark10 12 years ago

It is a wonderfully made thriller.

Its that man again!!

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

I love the photography in this movie, it's just beautiful!

Best part of the movie for me. The plot is really kind of ridiculous.🐭

[–] bnwfilmbuff 8 years ago

And terribly underrated on this site IMHO. Great performances across the board with a fantastic musical score from Julian Bream. Wonderful photography. And just a unique and engrossing storyline.