La mujer que no quería morir

Catacombs is based on the novel of the same name written by Jay Bennett, it might suggest a Gothic horror but there are no catacombs in this movie and I think that the American title of "The Woman Who Wouldn't Die" is more suitable. Gary Merrill (who was once married to Bette Davis) stars as Raymond, the hen pecked husband of successful business woman Ellen (Georgina Cookson). When her young niece Alice comes to visit she and Ray start an unlikely affair, she is very attractive whereas he, with his comb-over hair, is old enough to be her father. Ellen catches them in the act, later on Ray kills Ellen and judging by his facial expressions he looks like he's enjoying himself. He buries her in a garden shed, however it seems that Ellen has come back from the dead to torment them! I had not heard of this British mystery/horror movie before so a big thank you to the wonderful Talking Pictures TV (UK) for screening it. I watch most of my films in the evenings but with rain outside I decided to close the curtains and make this my Saturday afternoon viewing, and it proved to be a rewarding watch. The film is well shot and directed, the musical score by Carlo Martelli is very effective and the acting is of a good standard, Cookson as bossy Ellen gives the standout performance. This is one of those movies that looks perfect shot in black and white, I am glad that it was not in colour. The twist ending was easy to figure out but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of it in the slightest. Catacombs deserves to be better known.

Ellen (Georgina Cookson) is the shrewd and shrewish millionaire businesswoman, her husband Raymond (Gary Merrill), from whom she demands frequent sex, is a kept man, and she appears to have occult power, able to read minds, which keeps the larcenous-minded Dick in check, and has command of her own physical frailty - she walks with a stick - and can put herself in a trance to overcome occasional pain from her injured hip.

But when Raymond falls for Ellen's niece Alice (Jane Merrow), an artist returned from a year in Paris, he and Dick concoct a murderous plan. First he hires an actress to impersonate Ellen, known to go off to Italy on her own for spa treatments and with a knack for reckless driving, and then strangles Ellen, and allows Alice, at a distance from an airport viewing terrace, to see her "aunt", complete with walking stick, climbing up the steps of a plane. Faked cables and postcards arrive from Italy purportedly showing Ellen enjoying herself, even visiting the famous catacombs. In Italy Dick fakes a car accident to kill the actress.

And Raymond's plan to live happily ever after with Alice is marred by several creepy incidents, knocking, tapping, door handles turning, shadows, a depression the shape of a body in a bed, cigarettes smoking in ashtrays, lights going on and off, which indicate to the already nervous Raymond and the visibly frightened Alice that Ellen may not be dead after all.

Catacombs is a rather neatly made thriller with supernatural undertones that is quite gripping and benefits largely from the performances. Georgina Cookson steals the show as the imperious businesswoman, with everyone cowering under her glare, Gary Merrill looks suitably tired of her and is quite charming enough in the first half and Jane Merrow does well. She's so naturally pretty and charming. There's some fine twists along the way, though I did predict some of them. It ended with the last twist - this film is a fine example of a well-crafted thriller. Pity it's not well known.

I did not see this film when it went on release nor can I ever remember seeing it on TV.So this was the first time I had seen this.Whilst no great classic it is still a very effective thriller.Gary Merrill plays a bought husband under the thumb of his rich domineering wife.A young niece returns and soon falls in love with Merrill.His wife has a crooked Secretary.Between the both of them they hatch a plot to murder her.However Merrill murders her before the planned time which complicates matters.He buries her in a shed.However when he and the niece spend time in the house they are haunted by the dead wife.There are a number of twists before everyone concerned are brought to justice.

This murder mystery borrowed somewhat from the famous Dr. Crippen case has businessman Gary Merrill married most unhappily to Georgina Cookson whom the word shrew was invented. Merrill and business partner Neil McCallum cook up an elaborate murders scheme so he can start kanoodling with his wife's niece the buxom Jane Merrow.

I think I can say things don't quite work out for all of the planners. And a most different twist on the famous Crippen case. Film belongs to Cookson who portrays a character Albert Schweitzer would have offed.

The debut feature of underrated director Gordon Hessler ("The Oblong Box", "Cry of the Banshee") is a sadly obscure but effectively sinister and compelling horror/mystery, with stellar performances, stupendous fright-moments, and an ingenious climax. The basic plot-idea is clearly inspired by the French über-classic "Les Diaboliques", but approximately three hundred movies stole from that film, so you can't really hold that against "Catacombs". Trampled husband wants to get rid of his domineering wife, so that he can inherit her fortune and run off with her much younger and prettier niece. He finds an ally in his wife Ellen's oppressed business partner, but nothing goes as planned. I won't go too much into detail of the plot, as it is much more fun to discover for yourself, but I do want to highlight the masterfully tense sequences at the cottage (never thought the sound of a ticking cane could feel so ominous), and the chemistry between Gary Merrill and Georgine Cookson. "Catacombs" really deserves to be better known!