This Universal picture is less a horror film than a Prisoner of Zenda-style adventure thriller with dark undertones. Though not entirely satisfactory, it's a well-made picture with bags of atmosphere and a well-matched alpha male duel at its centre.
Future Robin Hood Richard Greene plays Ronald Burton an English aristocrat who assumes a false identity to find two friends who have gone missing at the court of the Austrian count Bruno ( Stephen McNally ). This relates to some previous adventure in Africa which the film doesn' t explain very well. Though revenge is Burton's main priority complications develop when he falls for the count's neglected wife Elga.
Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr ( the latter in a non-speaking brute role ) appear as member's of the count's sinister entourage.
Rita Corday ( as Elga )
Sex : It's suggested that the Count's marriage is unconsummated . There's also a suggestion of rape by Chaney's character
Death : Survives
Rita was originally Jeane Croset from Tahiti where her parents were Swiss diplomats. Her film career began in 1942 but she never progressed to major roles. She had a first career break after getting married in 1947 but resumed, with better roles in the early fifties. This was her penultimate role; she permanently retired when her son was born in 1957. She died of diabetic complications in 1992 aged 77.
Nancy Valentine ( as Thereze )
Sex : She appears to be the Count's mistress but we only see a bit of flirting
Death : Survives
Nancy did far more TV than film where she was only a bit part player. Her career petered out in the early seventies. She is still alive aged 89.
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