Experiment Perilous (1944)
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100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
36% of users liked it
(162 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… 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
- Directed By
- Jacques Tourneur
- Written By
- Margaret Carpenter, Warren Duff
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1944 Wide
- Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Critic Reviews
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Highly atmospheric thriller.
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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.
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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.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Elegant mystery melodrama.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Splendid period thriller from Tourneur. Deserves to be better known.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Hedy Lamarr
as Allida Bedereaux
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George Brent
as Dr. Huntington Bailey
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Paul Lukas
as Nick Bedereaux
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Albert Dekker
as Claghorne
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Carl Esmond
as John Maitland
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Olive Blakeney
as Cissie Bedereaux
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George N. Neise
as Alec Gregory
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Margaret Wycherly
as Maggie
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Stephanie Bachelor
as Elaine
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Mary Servoss
as Miss Wilson
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Julia Dean
as Deria
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William Post Jr.
as D.A. MacDonald
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Bill Ward
as Alec age 5
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Edward Clark
as Train Steward
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Adrienne D'Ambricourt
as Voice Instructor
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Jack Deery
as Doorman
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Almeda Fowler
as Clerk
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Joel Friedkin
as Brakeman
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Perc Launders
as Ambulance Man
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Nolan Leary
as Bellhop
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Sam McDaniel
as Porter
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Charles McMurphy
as Cop
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Peggy Miller
as Cissie Age 8
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John Mylong
as Nick Sr.
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Broderick O'Farrell
as Frank
- Georges Renavent
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Michael Visaroff
as Ballet Master
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Lawrence Wheat
as Caterer
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Janet Clark
as Deria as a Girl
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Alan Ward
as Shoes
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Evelyn Falke
as Cissie Age 5
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John Elliott
as Telephone Operator
