Cast a Dark Shadow (1957)

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Dirk Bogarde stars as schizoid gold digger Edward Bare in Lewis Gilbert's edgy thriller CAST A DARK SHADOW. After murdering his wealthy wife (Mona Washbourne) and making her death look like an accident, Bare is crushed to learn that he has been written out of her will. Unable to maintain his classy… More Dirk Bogarde stars as schizoid gold digger Edward Bare in Lewis Gilbert's edgy thriller CAST A DARK SHADOW. After murdering his wealthy wife (Mona Washbourne) and making her death look like an accident, Bare is crushed to learn that he has been written out of her will. Unable to maintain his classy lifestyle, Bare marries another older rich woman, the coquettish Freda Jeffries (Margaret Lockwood). After several foiled attempts to embezzle Freda's money, Edward develops a strange fondness for her, making his plans to murder her seem all the more twisted. In spite of its grave theme, CAST A DARK SHADOW is surprisingly warm at times. Viewers quickly forget Lockwood's character is more than 50 as she turns on the wit and sexual energy. Most amusing, however, is Bogarde's character, Edward Bare. Bare's maniacal and charming persona resembles (and predates) many of Jack Nicholson's roles (ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, THE SHINING). With this film, Gilbert ventures outside his safety zone of war films and concocts a stylish noir thriller that still generates chills.