THE MAN IN BLACK is an early mystery thriller effort from Hammer Films that feels like a variant on the 'old dark house' theme. It's worth a look thanks to a winning performance from Sid James, long before he became typecast in the horror genre. James plays a wealthy but ailing figure whose wife and stepdaughter seem to be constantly plotting against in order to get their hands on his fortune. He dies during a spooky seance so the focus of their attention falls on his fragile daughter. This low budget film is packed with twists and turns, the most crucial of which is rather obvious for any fan of British cinema. The cast is excellent though and features superbly poisonous turns from Betty Ann Davies and Sheila Burrell alongside plenty of creepy incident.

Although on IMDb this is tagged as a horror movie as well as a thriller - it is not a horror film. It's a thriller, very film noir(ish). The seance might be the only real impression this a horror film. Sure there is a man speaking in a "spooky voice" in the beginning of it, a man simulating his own death through yoga, a woman seemingly going insane, ugly step-mom and step-sister trying to drive her mad but the film is a thriller... maybe with some over/under tones of horror.I will have to agree this movie is similar to Gaslight (1944) It's sorta a rehash of it but with the mystery removed. Gaslight the better film but this one isn't all that bad.This film helped Hammer to pave it's way into the horror genre and is worth a watch but not a film to go out of your way to find.5/10

Before Hammer Films branched out into horror they produced a number of suspense dramas that might generously be characterised as film noir. Their other line of content consisted of adaptions of BBC radio and television concepts (Dick Barton, PC 49 and later, to notable effect, the Quatermass serials.) Man in Black was based on a popular radio series called Appointment With Fear hosted by the sepulchral voiced Valentine Dyall, who also provides an on screen introduction to this film. Dyall had a long career as a character actor in the villainous mould and would play the Black Guardian in Doctor Who towards the end of his life.The other notable player in Man in Black is Sid James in one of his earliest film roles, long before his acclaimed comedic parts opposite Tony Hancock and as part of the Carry On ensemble. Here he plays a serious and quite sober role with conviction.The film itself is a mild diversion at best, using the old trope of "trying to drive the young heiress insane." The film lacks mushc in the way of surprises but the key villain/s are well played and genuinely amoral in their approach.Vernon Sewell does not add much dramatic frisson to the tale but everything proceeds at a reasonable pace through the 74 minute film. I was happy to view this relic from Hammer's very early days.

Possible spoiler ahead Interesting thriller (not really a horror film)based on a radio series which was popular in the late 40's. Valentine Dyall, who was known to radio fans as The Man in Black appears briefly at the beginning and intones a sinister narration as we are introduced to the venal 2nd wife and sister of a sick millionaire played unexpectedly by Sid James. James modifies his usual rasping delivery to such a degree that he's not instantly recognizable as the millionaire. His second wife, her daughter and her sometimes lover are a truly repulsive trio of villains as they conspire to drive the dead millionaire's daughter, (who's due to inherit the estate) mad in order to have her committed and take the estate for themselves. The poor girl's only real friend is the one person her father trusted, the drunken yet loyal boatkeeper Hodges. This has some clever and amusing twists especially as the bodies pile up and just as quickly disappear. Gradually it comes to seem the girl may have some supernatural assistance. This is all pleasantly entertaining until the climatic seance which I found a bit of a disappointment. Considering this was a Hammer production, the film-makers could have played with our and the character's perceptions a bit. This wouldn't have changed the outcome but could've provided a more exciting resolution. Overall a decent time passer with good moments.