The Night Walker (film)
Encyclopedia
The Night Walker is a black-and-white psychological suspense thriller by genre specialist William Castle
, with a screenplay by Robert Bloch
, starring Barbara Stanwyck
, Robert Taylor
, Hayden Rorke
, Judi Meredith
, and Lloyd Bochner
as "The Dream." The film was one of the last black and white theatrical features released by Universal Pictures
, and Stanwyck's last motion picture.
Irene thus lives in a constant state of dread, wondering how far Howard's jealousy will go. Yet despite Howard's continual accusations of infidelity, Irene remains faithful to Howard, although she dreams of a fantasy lover every night—the same dream, over and over—and even though she is attracted to Howard's personal attorney, Barry Moreland (Taylor), the only visitor allowed in the house. Howard spends most of his time working in his laboratory on a variety of projects, the nature of which he refuses to divulge to anyone. As tensions mount, Irene feels trapped in a loveless, lonely relationship. But suddenly, everything changes: Howard is killed by an explosion in his laboratory, and Irene inherits the house, and Howard's entire fortune.
The laboratory itself, a charred wreck, is locked off from the rest of the house by a deadbolt, so that no one may enter. Irene, after consulting with Barry Moreland, decides to move out of the house, into the backroom apartment of a small beauty shop she owns, Irene's, which she operated before she met and married Howard. Almost immediately, the dreams begin again, with increasing intensity, until they take the form of an "ideal" man—known only as "The Dream" (Bochner). Night after night, "The Dream" appears before Irene, whisking her away to a bizarre wedding ceremony, in which she "marries" "The Dream" in front of a group of wax figure witnesses, or engages in a harmless tryst over champagne. Irene begins to doubt her sanity, and unaccountably finds herself wishing to return to the nightmarish house she shared with Howard. But the reality behind Irene's dreams is a secret that The Night Walker withholds until the very end; a bizarre and complex tale of murder, betrayal, and deception.
, the film was a change of pace for Castle, who usually relied on gimmicks to sell his films, such as "Emergo" for House on Haunted Hill
, or "Percepto" for The Tingler
. This time, Castle relied on Bloch's reputation as the author of the novel on which Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho
is based, as well as the re-teaming of Stanwyck and Taylor, who had been married from 1939 to 1951, as being sufficient to publicize the film. When asked if they had any objections to appearing in the film together, Taylor replied "it's all right with me if it's all right with her", and Stanwyck said "of course not—but you'd better ask Mr. and Mrs. Taylor." When asked if it was all right with her, Taylor's current wife, Ursula Thiess
, said only "not necessarily."
Despite all of Castle's efforts, and mixed but generally favorable reviews, the film was not a financial success, and marked the end of Castle's most influential period as a director, although he would go on to produce and direct a number of additional films for Universal, and later, Paramount Pictures.
. A VHS
release is still sporadically available.
William Castle
William Castle was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Castle was known for directing films with many gimmicks which were ambitiously promoted, despite being reasonably low budget B-movies....
, with a screenplay by Robert Bloch
Robert Bloch
Robert Albert Bloch was a prolific American writer, primarily of crime, horror and science fiction. He is best known as the writer of Psycho, the basis for the film of the same name by Alfred Hitchcock...
, starring Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck was an American actress. She was a film and television star, known during her 60-year career as a consummate and versatile professional with a strong screen presence, and a favorite of directors including Cecil B. DeMille, Fritz Lang and Frank Capra...
, Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor (actor)
Robert Taylor was an American film and television actor.-Early life:Born Spangler Arlington Brugh in Filley, Nebraska, he was the son of Ruth Adaline and Spangler Andrew Brugh, who was a farmer turned doctor...
, Hayden Rorke
Hayden Rorke
William Henry Rorke was an American actor best known for playing Col. Dr. Alfred E. Bellows on the hit 1960s American sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.-Career:...
, Judi Meredith
Judi Meredith
-Early life:Born Judith Clare Boutin in Portland, Oregon, she was a talented figure skater who became a professional star performer with the Ice Follies. All this changed when she broke her back in an accident...
, and Lloyd Bochner
Lloyd Bochner
Lloyd Wolfe Bochner was a Canadian actor, usually playing the role of suave, rich leading men.- Career :...
as "The Dream." The film was one of the last black and white theatrical features released by Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
, and Stanwyck's last motion picture.
Plot
The film chronicles the ordeal of Irene Trent (Stanwyck), who is unhappily married to a blind, pathologically possessive millionaire inventor, Howard Trent (Rorke). Howard and Irene's palatial mansion is packed with an endless assortment of cuckoo clocks, all in perfect synchronization, and Howard tape records all conversations in the house for later reference, hoping to catch Irene plotting an illicit liaison.Irene thus lives in a constant state of dread, wondering how far Howard's jealousy will go. Yet despite Howard's continual accusations of infidelity, Irene remains faithful to Howard, although she dreams of a fantasy lover every night—the same dream, over and over—and even though she is attracted to Howard's personal attorney, Barry Moreland (Taylor), the only visitor allowed in the house. Howard spends most of his time working in his laboratory on a variety of projects, the nature of which he refuses to divulge to anyone. As tensions mount, Irene feels trapped in a loveless, lonely relationship. But suddenly, everything changes: Howard is killed by an explosion in his laboratory, and Irene inherits the house, and Howard's entire fortune.
The laboratory itself, a charred wreck, is locked off from the rest of the house by a deadbolt, so that no one may enter. Irene, after consulting with Barry Moreland, decides to move out of the house, into the backroom apartment of a small beauty shop she owns, Irene's, which she operated before she met and married Howard. Almost immediately, the dreams begin again, with increasing intensity, until they take the form of an "ideal" man—known only as "The Dream" (Bochner). Night after night, "The Dream" appears before Irene, whisking her away to a bizarre wedding ceremony, in which she "marries" "The Dream" in front of a group of wax figure witnesses, or engages in a harmless tryst over champagne. Irene begins to doubt her sanity, and unaccountably finds herself wishing to return to the nightmarish house she shared with Howard. But the reality behind Irene's dreams is a secret that The Night Walker withholds until the very end; a bizarre and complex tale of murder, betrayal, and deception.
Production
Modestly budgeted, and shot entirely at Universal CityUniversal City
Universal City may refer to:In the entertainment industry:* Universal City Studios, an alternate name of Universal Studios* Universal City RecordsThe following places owned by Universal Studios:* Universal City, California...
, the film was a change of pace for Castle, who usually relied on gimmicks to sell his films, such as "Emergo" for House on Haunted Hill
House on Haunted Hill
House on Haunted Hill is a 1959 American B movie horror film from Allied Artists. It was directed by William Castle, written by Robb White, and starring Vincent Price as eccentric millionaire Fredrick Loren. He and his fourth wife, Annabelle, have invited five people to the house for a "Haunted...
, or "Percepto" for The Tingler
The Tingler
The Tingler is a 1959 horror-thriller film by American producer/director William Castle. It is the third of five collaborations with writer Robb White and stars Vincent Price, Darryl Hickman, Patricia Cutts, Pamela Lincoln, Philip Coolidge and Judith Evelyn.The film tells the story of a scientist...
. This time, Castle relied on Bloch's reputation as the author of the novel on which Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho
Psycho (1960 film)
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. The film is based on the screenplay by Joseph Stefano, who adapted it from the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch...
is based, as well as the re-teaming of Stanwyck and Taylor, who had been married from 1939 to 1951, as being sufficient to publicize the film. When asked if they had any objections to appearing in the film together, Taylor replied "it's all right with me if it's all right with her", and Stanwyck said "of course not—but you'd better ask Mr. and Mrs. Taylor." When asked if it was all right with her, Taylor's current wife, Ursula Thiess
Ursula Thiess
Ursula Thiess was a German film actress who had a brief Hollywood career in the 1950sThiess began her career on the stage in her native Germany and by dubbing female voices in American films as Ursula Schmidt...
, said only "not necessarily."
Despite all of Castle's efforts, and mixed but generally favorable reviews, the film was not a financial success, and marked the end of Castle's most influential period as a director, although he would go on to produce and direct a number of additional films for Universal, and later, Paramount Pictures.
Availability
The Night Walker is one of the few William Castle films from his "horror" period that is unavailable on DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
. A VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
release is still sporadically available.