STRANGE ILLUSION
1945, 87 minutes, Black-and-white.
Jimmy Lydon, Warren William, Sally Eilers, Regis Toomey, Charles Arnt.
Directed by Edgar G.Ulmer.
Strange Illusion is looked on with interest because of its director Edgar G Ulmer. This film was made directly before the film that is considered by some as his classic, Detour.
This is a small budget film but with some ambitions, an American setting 1945, the focus on the family of a judge who has been killed in an accident, his wife mourning him, thinking of remarrying a charming man, with a son who is still mourning his father and against his mother marrying again.
Yes, the film draws on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, some of the characters and their behaviour, some of the themes.
It opens with the visual superimpositions of some of the characters as well as a dream that the young man has about his father and his death, seeing characters as well as an isolated hut which he will discover in real life.
The young man is played by Jimmy Lydon who had a long career as Henry Aldritch in these years, had a long television career. His mother is played by Sally Eilers, the friendly doctor by Regis Toomey.
The suave cad is played by Warren William, a character bent on revenge against the judge and his whole family, intending to marry and then destroy his wife and her children.
There are some psychological complications when the young man is advised to go to a residential area to be cared for bya doctor – who is in cahoots with the villain.
This leads to all kinds of complications, giving fingerprints, tracing numberplates, the collaboration with the police while the cad is enticing the mother to get a marriage license, his motivation against her son, his being seductive towards her daughter.
1940s small-budget but interesting because of the director and the Hamlet parallels.
1. An interesting drama? The dramatic elements and characters? Title and expectations?
2. The director, his reputation, especially for thrillers in the 1940s and 50s?
3. The basis of the plot in Hamlet, the central character, his mother, his mother’s suitor, friends and advisers? However, while there are parallels, not strict parallels but rather application of Shakespeare’s themes and characters?
4. The dream, ominous, characters blending into each other – and the reprisal at the end and Paul’s freedom?
5. The atmosphere of the 1940s, black-and-white photography, homes, businesses, the chalet in the forest, the musical score?
6. The character of Paul, the Hamlet-figure? Initial dream, about his father and his death, the behaviour of his mother? Seeing details? His father, the crash, killed in an accident? His administration of justice? Paul’s mother, amiable, intrigued by Brett Curtis? Paul away with the doctor, fishing, his friendship with the doctor, psychological discussions? The news about his mother, his return? Preparation for studies? The bond with the doctor? His friend and not understanding the situation, his girlfriend and his relationship with her? His sister, especially supporting his mother? The family situation?
7. Paul’s mother, the death of her husband, genuine grief, going on with life? The encounter with Brett Curtis? Meeting, their discussions, the possibility of marriage, the issue of getting the marriage license, going to the office? Putting off the marriage? Her concern about Paul?
8. Paul and the doctor friend, getting the fingerprints, searching out Brett Curtis is identity, the number plate of the car, getting information, the role of the police?
9. Brett Curtis, suave manner, his doctor friend, the plot? His identity, motivation for revenge, on the whole family? Courting Paul’s mother, flirtatious? His different name, the experience of the courts, his smooth manner, yet his fatal attraction to young girls, behaviour? Especially Paul’s sister? His meeting with Paul, being suave and smooth?
10. The sinister doctor, friendship, his institution, Paul being taken there, a guest, but treated as a prisoner? The psychological repercussions? The activities of the Institute, the role of the secretary, seeing the binoculars, going onto the roof, Paul recognising the hut they could see? His drive with his doctor friend, discovering the parts of the truck? His being locked in his room, smashing his way out, the pursuit of Brett?
11. The police, the information, the fingerprint information, the car number plate and registration?
12. The cars, the pursuit, Brett and Paul sister, at the hut? Brett flirtatious, putting the girl in danger?
13. The doctor, his being pursued, arrested? Brett being arrested?
14. The evocation of the scenes from Hamlet?
