Cruel and cunning madman Sire Alain de Maletroit (a wonderfully robust and wicked portrayal by Charles Laughton) plots revenge against his younger brother Edmund. Alain forces brash and dashing rascal Denis de Beaulieu (a fine and likable performance by Richard Wyler) to marry his sweet niece Blanche (the fetching and appealing Sally Forrest). Alain's meek browbeaten servant Voltan (the always marvelous Boris Karloff in sturdy form) tries to help Denis and Blanche escape from Voltan's vile clutches. Skillfully directed with real style and energy by Joseph Pevney, with a constant brisk pace, a clever and compelling script by Jerry Sackheim, sharp, witty dialogue, crisp black and white cinematography Irving Glassberg, a few thrilling and well staged action scenes, a spirited score, a tight 81 minute running time, and an extremely tense and harrowing climax, this lively romp overall sizes up as an immensely entertaining picture. Moreover, it's a definite treat to see legendary cinematic giants Laughton and Karloff on screen together (Laughton's deliciously decadent presence in particular certainly keeps the movie humming throughout). There are also sound supporting contributions from William Cottrell as the cynical Corbeau, Paul Cavanaugh as the miserable, imprisoned Edmund, and Michael Pate as Alain's faithful, smoothly slimy butler Talon. A neat little film.
Review of The Strange Door
