Experiment Perilous (1945)
-
100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
34% of users liked it
(151 ratings)
Officially based on a novel by Margaret Carpenter, Experiment Perilous would seem to be more inspired by MGM's psychological thriller Gaslight. Set at the turn of the century, the film stars Hedy Lamarr as Allida, the beautiful young wife of an elderly "gentleman" named Nick (Paul Lukas). Treating… More Officially based on a novel by Margaret Carpenter, Experiment Perilous would seem to be more inspired by MGM's psychological thriller Gaslight. Set at the turn of the century, the film stars Hedy Lamarr as Allida, the beautiful young wife of an elderly "gentleman" named Nick (Paul Lukas). Treating his wife like a possession, Nick keeps her a virtual prisoner in their London town house, cutting off all contact with the outside world. The situation is exacting a terrible emotional toll on Allida and her stepson Alec (George N. Neise). Enter kindly psychiatrist Huntington Bailey (George Brent), who takes it upon himself to free Allida and Alec from the despotic control of the insanely jealous Nick. The film's "money scene" is a frenzied gun battle in an aquarium, replete with shattered glass, gushing water and floundering fish; this sequence would be imitated ad nauseum in such future films as Lethal Weapon (1988) and Mission: Impossible (1996). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
- Directed By
- Jacques Tourneur
- Written By
- Margaret Carpenter, Warren Duff
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1944 Wide
- Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Critic Reviews
-
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Highly atmospheric thriller.
-
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
I wish that the strongest passages of Experiment Perilous were more representative of the film's overall achievements. It's practically an essay in the boons and the perils of starting off wonderfully.
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Tourneur's well crafted suspense thriller about a scary husband menacing his wife (Hedy Lamarr) bears thematic resemblance to the far superior Gaslight, by George Cukor, for which Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Elegant mystery melodrama.
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Splendid period thriller from Tourneur. Deserves to be better known.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Cast
-
Hedy Lamarras Allida Bedereaux -
George Brentas Dr. Huntington Bailey -
Paul Lukasas Nick Bedereaux
-
Albert Dekkeras Claghorne -
Carl Esmondas John Maitland -
Olive Blakeneyas Cissie Bedereaux
Trailers & Clips
Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!
- Discover movies your friends are watching
- Keep track of what you want to see
- Add your reviews to your Timeline
