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At RKO studios producer Val Lewton was behind a series of chillers and horrors that redefined the genre during the 1940's. With the use of dark shadows and the power of suggestion there was a sense of not showing explicitly on screen all the action and leaving the viewer to use one's own imagination. The first was Cat People (1942) probably the best known and a good example of the style. The Seventh Victim was 4th film of 9 and an excellent entry it is...
Mary (Kim Hunter) is at a Catholic school when she finds out her older sister Jacqueline has disappeared and has stopped paying for her school fees for a few months. Concerned, Mary travels to New York to find her. There she meets an assortment of Jacqueline's ex-work colleagues, friends and aquaintances but not all are to be trusted. Teaming up with a private detective she discovers that Jacqueline is a member of a group of devil worshippers who are angry at her for giving out secrets about their cult. Mentally unstable, the cult encourage Jacqueline to commit suicide. Can Mary rescue her or will she become the seventh victim?
The unease and tension throughout the film is upheld as this atmospheric drama successfully supplies the thrills and chills at the right moments. Celebrated cinematographer Nicholas Musuraca helps add to the depressing story by painting with light and shadows that contrast with each other. If ever a film could be described as 'dark' then The Seventh Victim is surely it. Satanists, mental cruelty, suicides and murder all add up to a depressingly bleak film but one which conversely, is thoroughly entertaining. One moment that stands out is the shower scene that would have influenced Hitchcock and Psycho.
Not all the motives of certain characters and plotlines always make sense. This is due in part because The Seventh Victim was demoted to a B- film after a disagreement between Val Lewton and studio execs. This meant certain scenes were cut, making the film just 71 minutes. However, the way the film is directed (Mark Robson) still makes it highly watchable.
Kim Hunter does well as the young innocent in a big city but it is Tom Conway as Jacqueline's smarmy psyciatrist who steals the acting honours. Conway was George Sanders brother and they both have similar mannerisms. Also, Jean Brooks as the paranoid Jacqueline is an iconic figure along the lines of the Bride of Frankenstein. With her black bob of a hair-do set agaist her milk white skin and clothed in a big, dark fur coat she's a memorable figure.
Best watched late at night, this morbidly moody mystery is a treat for those who enjoy psycholgical thrillers. A classic.
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simon m. on 4/04/11 at 08:36 AM
Weird, I went to the video store last night and almost rented this. Now I will definitely do so.
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Matt the Hat on 4/04/11 at 09:34 AM
Cool. Look out for the shower scene.
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Guido on 4/04/11 at 09:46 AM
certainly worth a watch. nice review!
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:27 AM
Thanks for reading nresnay.
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grouchyeditor.com on 4/04/11 at 09:49 AM
Another entertaining review of a golden oldie, Hat. I saw this awhile back and thoroughly enjoyed it, although I had no idea that Conway was George Sanders's brother.
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:31 AM
They once even played brothers in The Falcon's Brother. The next time you watch a Conway film you'll probably notice the resemblance. Cheers Grouchy.
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grouchyeditor.com on 4/05/11 at 01:01 PM
"You have a point. An idiotic one, but a point." -- Sanders to Marilyn Monroe in All About Eve.
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 03:03 PM
Sanders in The Picture Of Dorian Grey - "I like persons better than principles and persons with no principles better than anything at all." For some reason this quote made me think of you.
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Hawaiianguy2991 on 4/04/11 at 10:36 AM
Excellent review Matt, I'll be sure to see this during wee-hours.
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:33 AM
Definitely a night film. Cheers H.
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HERESSSSSSJOHNNY on 4/04/11 at 11:16 AM
Will put this on the watch list, excellent review Matt.
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:33 AM
Cool. Thanks Johnny.
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Dave J on 4/04/11 at 12:24 PM
Had I had not seen this movie at all, some of the revealations you have mentioned would've killed me, lol- because as I understand it, viewers weren't supposed to know about all that satanists stuff as the film progresses, but aside from that, you still provided a very good read!
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:36 AM
Oops. I hope I haven't spoilt it for the others. There is always a fine balance between what to and what not to include in a review. I might have crossed the line. Cheers Dave.
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Ljiljana S. on 4/04/11 at 01:57 PM
Great review. :)
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:36 AM
Thank you Ljiljana.
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Mr. Hulot on 4/04/11 at 02:39 PM
Outstanding review.I haven't seen any of Val Lewton's films,i guess this film would be a good place to start.
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:39 AM
Yes along with Cat People and I Walked With A Zombie. If you like Noir then you'll love these chillers. Cheers Mr Hulot.
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Erik P. on 4/04/11 at 05:40 PM
sounds fantastic, I am definitely interested in seeing this one. great review
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:40 AM
It's good one. Plenty of atmospheric tension. Cheers Erik.
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SteveTellsItHowHeSeesIt on 4/04/11 at 05:47 PM
Great review man. i really like the sound of this
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:41 AM
A creepy thriller. Cheers Steve.
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Monsieur Rick on 4/04/11 at 08:20 PM
Can count on you Matt the Hat... if its 90 there has to be a reason. Will look for this one.
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:42 AM
Cheers Rick. There is plenty of suspense to enjoy.
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AndysFilms on 4/05/11 at 04:50 AM
Nice review Matt! I'll add it to the 'Classics' List... ;)
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Matt the Hat on 4/05/11 at 11:43 AM
I think you'll enjoy it. Cheers Andy.
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Lord Naseby on 4/06/11 at 09:23 AM
Great review! I think that this is on my list.
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Matt the Hat on 4/06/11 at 11:43 AM
Cheers my Lord.
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Keiko A. --Samurai-- on 4/07/11 at 08:58 PM
Great review now if i remeber i have seen this quite a while ago and it does remind me off another film i have seen with John Merivale called Caltiki - The Immortal Monster. The two sound quite the same if many ways. Great review Matt.
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Matt the Hat on 4/08/11 at 11:19 AM
I've not seen The Immortal Monster but will keep an eye out for it. Cheers Keiko.
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Kimi M. on 4/08/11 at 07:56 AM
Strange but Brilliant movie and i agree with your score by far. Excellent review Matt!
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Matt the Hat on 4/08/11 at 11:20 AM
The ending is a knockout. Cheers Kimi.
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Jesse P. on 4/10/11 at 07:33 AM
Nice review Matt Classic horror! I need to see it again and i look foward to Matts next review.
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Matt the Hat on 4/10/11 at 10:42 AM
It was gripping stuff. Cheers Jesse.
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Alex l. on 4/15/11 at 10:27 PM
Great Review! I'll check it out
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Matt the Hat on 4/18/11 at 02:24 PM
It's creepy. Cheers Alex.
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Lemonball on 5/02/11 at 09:28 AM
Great review. Sounds Good. You mentioned Cat People, which I enjoyed so might have to see this one.
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Matt the Hat on 5/02/11 at 10:16 AM
It's from the same production team so I think you will like it. Heavy on atmosphere. Cheers Lemonball.
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SB on 7/10/11 at 10:20 PM
Great review, Matt :)
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