This is another gem of Lugosi's. He plays Charles Kessler who is troubled by something similar to a Jekyll and Hyde type of problem. All of this revolves around an accident that wife, who had left him for another man, leaves her damaged. Everyone thinks she is more than likely dead, but her body was never found. Unknown to Kessler, his wife is hidden away by Kessler's gardener. Kessler commits several murders of which that he has no memory. His homicidal black outs occur when he sees his missing wife standing outside their home, while she proclaims that she can never come home, that if she does that he will kill her, or indeed anyone. It is then his expression changes from one of sorrow at seeing her at the window to unbridled rage. This is when he hunts down his victims.
It eventually happens that an innocent man, Ralph Dickson, is accused of the murder of the maid. It is revealed that they had a prior relationship and she is displeased with his new relationship Kessler's daughter, Virginia. The next day, the butler finds the maid dead in her room the next morning. Considering he was the last one to see her alive, Ralph is accused of the maid's murder and eventually executed for the crime he never committed.
The murders continue, however.
The murders continue, however.
One evening, the Kessler residence is visited by someone who is the spitting image of Ralph. As it turns out, he has a twin, Paul, and practically give the household heart attacks. They think he is Ralph's ghost at first. He stays to help solve the mystery of the murders, as they of course still occur after Ralph's unfortunate execution. It is Paul who discovers Kessler is the killer, and that he has no idea of the crimes.
Seriously, watch this film. Lugosi's performance is stellar. Now. Watch it. Right now.
Seriously, watch this film. Lugosi's performance is stellar. Now. Watch it. Right now.
