Tormented (1960)

Much better than its reputation would suggest, 4 August 2007

Tom Stewart (Richard Carlson) is getting married in a week. The only problem is that his old flame, Vi Mason (Juli Reding), doesn't want their relationship to end. She confronts Tom in an abandoned lighthouse and threatens to use a stack of love letters as blackmail if he goes through with his wedding. But, as luck would have it, the railing Vi is leaning on gives way. All Tom has to do is reach out and grab her. Instead, Tom watches as Vi plummets to her death. With Vi out of his life, Tom is free to marry his new sweetheart. But is Vi really gone? Tom begins hearing her voice and seeing her image everywhere he turns. Can Vi stop Tom's wedding from the grave?

Overall, Tormented is an enjoyable little film. It's got its share of problems, but the movie is certainly better than the IMDb rating of 2.7 would indicate. While I'm sure that Tormented's low budget nature, spotting acting, and other perceived weaknesses are partly responsible for the rating, I think there are probably some other factors at play here. First, Tormented was produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon. I'm quite confident that there are people out there who just assume that if Mr. B.I.G. had anything to do with it, it's got to be bad. Second, Tormented has appeared on a number of budget DVD releases. Appearing alongside public domain dreck can't be good for a movie's reputation. Finally, Tormented was featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000. I love(d) the show, but I don't subscribe to the notion that all MST3K movies are inherently bad. With all this going against the movie, I'm just surprised the rating isn't any lower.

As I said, Tormented is a nice little movie. There are a few very effective, creepy moments as Tom begins to hear Vi's voice. I especially love the disembodied head on the end table. Good stuff! Another scene that really works for me comes just before the final credits. As far as I'm concerned, the ending shot in Tormented is an inspired moment of genius. Richard Carlson is a solid actor and gives a nice performance, though in all honesty, he's a bit long in the tooth to be playing the role he's asked to here. I also thought that Juli Reding did a nice job. Some of her scenes as Vi tormenting Tom are choice.

6/10