THE SEVENTH VICTIM

US, 1943, 71 Minutes, Black and White.
Tom Conway, Jean Brooks, Isabel Jewell, Kim Hunter.
Directed by Mark Robson.

The Seventh Victim was one of many 'B' budget thrillers produced by Val Lewton. Others were I Walked with a Zombie, The Cat People, Bedlam. These films made at R.K.O. acquired a great reputation for being excellent thrillers within their genre and their limitations of budget. Several durable Hollywood directors worked on these films as early assignments, eg. Robert Wise and The Body Snatchers and Mark Robson with this film. The film is of interest because it introduces Kim Hunter who was to be an intelligent attress in many films, gaining an Oscar for her performance in A Street Car Named Desire in 1951. The film has overtones of the occult which was, of course, to be so popular in the 70s.

1. An entertaining mystery thriller? The appeal of this kind of film? The 40s, now?

2. The 'B. Budget presentation of plot, visuals? The tone? Its successful reputation and the work of Val Lewton?

3. Audience interest in the story of Jacqueline's disappearance, the deaths, the appearance of Jacqueline, the suggestions of the occult and its culmination? For the 40s, in the light of the films of the 70s?

4. Mary as an attractive heroine, focus? Kim Hunter's style in her first film? At school, in the city, her relentless search, her work with the detective, the interview with the hairdresser, with Gregory, Dr. Judd, the poet? Her information from the Italian couple? How attractive a character, her concern for her sister, her fear? Her reaction to the deaths? Her persistence in the search?

5. The mysterious aspects of her encounter with Jacqueline and the heightening of the mystery?

6. The suggestions of fear in the search of the house, the death of the detective, the subway ride, the house itself, the suggestions of the occult?

7. The various strands suggested by the different characters and their moving together to show the occult group?

8. The mysterious symbol, the information? Frances - and the ordinary girl involved in the coven? The presentation of the others at their meeting, their rules, executions? The people involved in such a group, their social backgrounds and wealth? How credible such a group? The psychologist and his interest in Jacqueline and his connections with such a group?

9. The build-up to the culmination, excitement, a satisfactory resolution?

10. The presuppositions in the audience about such goings on, people in league with the supranatural? The perennial appeal of these themes?