The movie follows Mary Henry who was the only survivor of a tragic accident. She finds work in another town, and soon gains the attention and trust of the church workers and the priest simply because of the grace of her organ playing. Her landlady is also motherly toward her. Everyone who has contact with her for extended periods of time comment on how empty or soulless she appears to be, that Mary needs to make friends or visit family. The actress, Candace Hilligloss, is very good at playing someone with very little to no emotional reaction to most of her daily routines, but when it comes to seeing the strange man who follows her throughout the film, her fear seems so severe. I think the fear reactions are emphasised so much because of her lack of emotion in regard to most other things.
Then there is the other boarder in the establishment, John Linden, a man who essentially spends his time trying his best to seduce her. Surprisingly, Mary is very forceful at the beginning in her refusal to give in to him. Things progress, however, as she is almost driven to insanity as she sees a strange man following her, and goes through periods of time where she cannot hear anything going on around her, nor will anyone acknowledge her presence. Mary is so scared of what is happening to her that she finally accepts an invitation to a bar for a less than wonderful time.
She is inexplicitly drawn to an abandoned carnival at the edge of town. When she visits the first time, things around her move on their own, but she isn't deterred. You get some of the history of the place in bits and pieces.
I recommend this movie highly to anyone. I watch it several times a year...I'm surprised my DVD hasn't broken with all of the use it's gotten over the years.
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