Marking star Stanwyck’s final film role, The Night Walker was a B-level psychological horror film, directed and produced by William Castle.
Grade: C
| The Night Walker | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
It was written by Robert Bloch, who enjoyed popularity at the time due to the fact that he was the author of the novel on which Hitchcock’s 1960 Psycho was based (though quite loosey).
Co-Starring Robert Taylor, Judith Meredith, Lloyd Bochner, the tale follows the wife of a wealthy inventor who is plagued by disturbing nightmares, which escalate after her husband’s death.
The publicity for film (Universal’s final black and white) relied on the reputation of its lead, Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck, who had been married from 1939 to 1951. The couple had previously made two films together, His Brother’s Wife in 1936 and This Is My Affair in 1937, both produced at MGM.
Stanwyck, Taylor, and Bochner embarked on a national promotional tour for the film, which included dates in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, and other cities.
Originally titled The Dream Killer, the role of Irene Trent was first offered to Joan Crawford who declined as she was committed to appear in Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte, again opposite Bette Davis (her co-star in the 1962 horror hit, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?)
Universal devised sensationalistic ad campaign for The Night Walker, with taglines like: “Does sex dominate your dreams? Are you afraid of the things that can come out of your dreams … Lust … Murder … Secret desires?”
Met with mixed to negative reviews, the film was not a financial success. It marked the end of Castle’s influential period as director, although he would go on to produce movies for Universal, and later Paramount. Stanwyck continued acting until 1986 with her final TV series, “The Colbys.”
Cast
Robert Taylor as Barry Morland
Barbara Stanwyck as Irene Trent
Judi Meredith as Joyce
Hayden Rorke as Howard Trent
Rochelle Hudson as Hilda
Marjorie Bennett as Manager
Jess Barker as Malone
Tetsu Komai as Gardener
Lloyd Bochner as The Dream
Credits:
Produced, directed by William Castle
Screenplay by Robert Bloch
Cinematography Harold E. Stine
Edited by Edwin H. Bryant
Music by Vic Mizzy
Production: William Castle Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date: Dec 30, 1964
Running time: 86 minutes
