Starring Joan Crawford, John Ireland, Leif Erickson, Sara Lane, Andi Garrett
Directed by William Castle
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Two teenage girls spend a night home alone making prank calls, but when they tell an actual murderer they saw what he did, and know who he is, they put themselves in danger.
One of Castle's harder to find films until recently, more of a suspense thriller than his better known horror pictures, it's far from a great picture, but is a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. Crawford rather surprisingly isn't the main focus of the film, and disappears about midway through, playing a part she's really too old for. Garrett is the primary character, playing one of the teens, and she probably gives the best performance in the movie, relishing the mischief she's creating through smiling teeth and wide eyes, as she pushes her luck further and further. She also has a good rapport with Sharyl Locke, playing her adorable free-spirited younger sister. Ireland is menacing enough as the villain, although he's a little bland, and we don't really get a feel for his motives, having most of them explained to us by Crawford. A bouncy music score by Van Alexander helps propel the story along, keeping things light for the most part despite Ireland's crimes, although some foggy backgrounds heighten suspense near the climax. It's not one of Castle's best, but still has the fun feeling that highlighted his better films.
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