In the early 70s, Shelley Winters re-made her self and her film career. Too old for parts she had in the 40s and 50s, now she discovered a new niche...playing people who were absolutely unhinged! I can't think of another actress with a similar string of such films except, perhaps, for Joan Crawford. In "Bloody Mama", she played a crazed Ma Barker type gangster. In "What's the Matter With Helen?", she played a dangerous psychotic mother. In "Who Slew Auntie Roo?" she plays a person who kids think is a murderer...so they decide to kill her! And, in "The Devil's Daughter" she's the leader of a Satanic coven!! Clearly, she was on a roll!! So, it's not at all surprising she'd also make "Revenge!".
"Revenge!" begins with a businessman, Frank (Bradford Dillman) receiving a phone call. Apparently his briefcase and another person's got switched so he leaves the meet the lady who called. The 'lady' happens to be Amanda (Shelley Winters) and Amanda has an ulterior motive....revenge. She soon attacks Frank with a fireplace poker and when he awakens, he finds he's the prisoner of this odd woman. And, she eventually informs him she's done this for revenge to what he did to her daughter...but Frank has no idea who the daughter was and insists he did nothing.
In the meantime, Frank's wife is worried...and frustrated because it doesn't seem like there's much of anything the police can do. A friend suggests they consult a psychic and they soon meet with Mark (Stuart Whitman). Can they find Frank before it's too late...especially when Mark himself admits that his act is just a gimmick?!
One thing I loved about this film is that although it involves a psychic, it also tells you how such folks do cold readings. In other words, how it's all a trick based on well educated guesses. This will no doubt alienate some viewers--folks who have confidence in psychics. Another thing I loved is Winters. She simply was wonderful playing crazed psychotic-types!! And, I admire her not only for taking the roles but really embracing them!! Overall, well worth seeing and campy fun.
