The Ghost

In 1963, The Ghost brought Barbara Steele back to the screen.  This Italian thriller features most everything required to make the Spooky Atmosphere Hall of Fame.  The cast is excellent, and their excessive stage acting only adds to the nostalgia this sort of film can bring.  The set work is wonderful, drawing the viewer in, and it contributes greatly towards the movie's success.

You will find several iconic scenes in this one, and the overcomplicated ending seems fitting.  Anything less might have been a disappointment.  Villains, as you may know, are forever foiling their own plans.  And this provides a great joy for the viewer, because The Ghost is a rare tale where no one has to feel guilty about enjoying the horror.  It's a case of villain against villain; a story almost free of morals.  No heroes were harmed in the making of this picture.

While The Ghost is billed as a sequel to The Horrible Dr. Hichcock, it is best taken in as a stand alone film.  There is no need to attach anything else to a story already complete in its perfection.  In fact, The Ghost brought such a solid portrayal of its themes to the screen, that many other movies can be said to owe their existence to this one.  You won't find anything new here, but you will see the common done uncommonly well.