Customer Reviews

Corridor of Mirrors [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When television first came to my tiny town in north carolina in l950, this was the movie that they played repeatedly. It was shown at least once a day, usually at night for nearly two years. Why, I don't know, but it certainly branded itself into my mind. Well, I saw it again last night for the first time in 50 years. The result: still as haunting as ever with magnificent lighting, camerawork and an unforgettable performance by the gorgeous Edna Romney, the strange heroine who becomes involved with a mysterious and sinister London gentleman. She visits his eerie mansion where he has recreated a vanished era, filled with a corridor filled with mirrors and bizarre secrets. Edana is a unique beauty who had only made two movies before this: "The Strangler" in l940 and "Alibi" in l942. She also co-wrote the screenplay. Although she looks Italian, the striking brunette came from South Africa.We can only wonder what happened to her since there is no mention anywhere of her doing anything else after "Corridor." You may want to "lighten" up your screen since my video was often so dark I could barely see who doing what to whom. This may remind you of "Last Year at Marienbad" and "Hiroshima, Mon Amour" because of its strong arthouse ambiance. A must-see for anyone who wants to see what London was doing in terms of film right after the war.

Eric Portman, a man possessed with the past is intrigued by a bruentte of classical beauty who fits the part perfectly in his "Corridor of Mirrors". It is a corridor any drag queen would die for. This beautiful black and white film has suspense, romance and an exceptional movie score to complement. Wait until you hear that glorious voice of Eric Portman who should have been as popular to the American public as James Mason. Should you agree with my review seek out other films by this excellent British actor.

The plot itself is somewhat flimsy, but is made up for by Eric Portman's unique and haunting style. The set is incredible. There is only one flaw: Edana Romney couldn't act if her life depended on it. Don't watch her and it's a terrific film.