The Amazing Mr. X

This 1948 B-movie is an excellently made thriller. It is well acted, well filmed, moves briskly, and keeps the viewer engaged with clever plot-twists and a couple of nicely done double- reversals of expectations. There are films with perhaps twenty times the budget of "The Amazing Mr. X" that aren't half as successful at telling the kind of story that this film features--which, I admit, was pretty well-worn even in 1948. Modern filmmakers trying their hands at thrillers with supernatural overtones would do well to study this film, as it shows exactly how that kind of film is made.

Don't let the cheesy title fool you. This is a top-notch thriller that's well worth a look by any lover of the genre.

After two years of mourning, lovely Lynn Bari (as Christine "Chris" Faber) seems ready to re-marry. But, Ms. Bari is haunted by the memories of her dead husband (or her dead husband himself, you will have to decide). Bari lives in a Gothic seaside mansion with her younger sister Cathy O'Donnell (as Janet Burke), who encourages her to wed proposing Richard Carlson (as Martin Abbott). Then, off to date Mr. Carlson, Bari meets spooky spiritualist Turhan Bey (as Alexis), who talks to dead people... John Alton's gorgeous photography should knock you out of your séance chair. Director Bernard Vorhaus is nearly as seamless. Mr. Bey's performance patches up a few irritating production details. The bird is terrific. This film needed a little more effort, but it very often glows like a gem.

******* The Amazing Mr. X (1948) Bernard Vorhaus ~ Turhan Bey, Lynn Bari, Cathy O'Donnell

What a cool movie. So much more than your typical B horror flick, loved every second of this one. The plot would be very easily spoiled, so I wont go into that, suffice to say it's very interesting and well-done. On top of that, the ending is great. Turhan Bey was great in the lead role, I'm definitely going to track down some more of his films. He commands the screen, makes each scene his own. Great presence, put simply. The rest of the cast is good enough as well, though they pale by comparison to Mr. Bey. The score is beautifully haunting, and sets the scene perfectly throughout the film. I highly recommend this movie.

8.5/10

I'd heard a lot of good things about this movie and I'm pleased to say that when I finally watched it I wasn't disappointed. Aside from an occasional choppy edit there really isn't much to find fault with here --- I'll echo the praise many other viewers have offered for the striking imagery, the acting, and the clever script. The movie features several ingenious plot twist which manage to keep you guessing right up to the last scene. Not a film for jaded slasher fans, of course, but so what. THE AMAZING MR. X was made for more sophisticated palates and can hold its head up beside the works of Val Lewton or Jacques Tourneur's NIGHT OF THE DEMON.

The millionaire widow Christine Faber (Lynn Bari) misses her husband Paul Faber (Donald Curtis), who died two years ago in a car explosion. Christine dates the lawyer Martin Abbott (Richard Carlson) that wants to propose to marry her. While walking on the beach going to Martin´s home, Christine overhears her deceased husband and stumbles upon the mysterious Alexis (Turhan Bey). He tells that he is a spiritualist and discloses things about Chris and Paul, fascinating Chris. She becomes obsessed to meet Alexis and her younger sister Janet Burke (Cathy O'Donnell), Martin and a private detective investigate Alexis. However Janet is easily manipulated by Alexis and becomes also obsessed for him. One day, Martin and the detective break in Alexis´s house during a seance and out of the blue, they see Paul. Is Alexis a con artist or a spiritualist indeed?

"The Amazing Mr. X" is a film with good moments but also with laughable scenes. The naïve Christine and Janet Faber are ridiculous characters but the plot point is interesting when Paul appears. In the present days, the plot is absolutely unbelievable but the film entertains. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Incrível Senhor X" ("The Amazing Mr. X")