A publisher gets recordings from an author about what sounds like a real life crime being planned. But is it.
The cast is the real draw here. James Mason gets to emote more than his usual courtly self, while Angie Dickinson is at the peak of her compelling allure. Together, they're kind of an odd couple, but then that fits the storyline. Also good to see ex-Charlie Chan Roland Winters, e.g. The Sky Dragon (1949), in a villainous role no less, along with the great Arnold Moss who could be really sinister, e.g. Border Incident (1949). Too bad he and Mason didn't have a face-off, since each embodies a lot of dramatic gravitas. The story generates some suspense as we wonder what Mason's recordings are up to. However, to me, the various twists and turns are too frequent and awkwardly blended to gel well. Also, it sounds like the last lines, repeated over and over, are really screenwriter Levinson's private difficulties with the story. That would certainly be different. Anyhow, for Mason fans, it's a chance to see the slickly debonair actor with his hair really mussed and looking seedy.
The cast is the real draw here. James Mason gets to emote more than his usual courtly self, while Angie Dickinson is at the peak of her compelling allure. Together, they're kind of an odd couple, but then that fits the storyline. Also good to see ex-Charlie Chan Roland Winters, e.g. The Sky Dragon (1949), in a villainous role no less, along with the great Arnold Moss who could be really sinister, e.g. Border Incident (1949). Too bad he and Mason didn't have a face-off, since each embodies a lot of dramatic gravitas. The story generates some suspense as we wonder what Mason's recordings are up to. However, to me, the various twists and turns are too frequent and awkwardly blended to gel well. Also, it sounds like the last lines, repeated over and over, are really screenwriter Levinson's private difficulties with the story. That would certainly be different. Anyhow, for Mason fans, it's a chance to see the slickly debonair actor with his hair really mussed and looking seedy.