Actor/Director William Conrad tried His hand with a few Unremarkable Films in the Mid Sixties. His Talent was mainly as a Radio Voice Actor and Playing "Heavies" in some pretty Good Movies. But Directing was certainly Not His Forte.This Fondly Remembered Movie was a William Castle Rip-Off that only proved that the "Poor Man's Hitchcock" was indeed a Craftsman. Here the Movie Craft is nothing more than Recycled, Tame, and sometimes Unintentionally Laughable. Stella Stevens does OK despite being Saddled with some Terrible Hairdos. Dean Jones is Miscast, or perhaps the Movie is just too Mishandled, as the Love Interest and Cesar Romero is quite Good as a Mad Magician. The Movie is Highlighted by a Strong Acting Performance by Virginia Gregg as a Lover Unrequited.Max Steiner's Score is Inconsistent and Hokey, but then again, the Film is Hokey Personified and at best it is Harmless Juvenile Fun and at worst it is a Misfire of the First Order. A White Rabbit all but Steals the Show.

Melinda Duquesne (Connie Stevens) finds out her father magician Duke Duquesne (Cesar Romero) has died. She was taken away from him at an early age because of his erratic behavior. In his will he leaves her his huge beautiful mansion on one condition--she must spend seven nights there. (Yes--the oldest plot in the book). She agrees but comes to realize someone may be after her...and her father may have returned from the dead.It's well-made and has a few cute juvenile scares but this is pretty dull stuff. The plot is OLD and the script is terrible full of truly painful "funny" dialogue. This is slowing-moving with tons of padding. It concentrates more on a love story between Melinda and Val Henderson (Dean Jones). Acting doesn't help. Stevens tries but she's pretty bad. Jones overacts so broadly it's embarrassing to watch. Cesar Romero briefly (very briefly) jump starts the movie to life but it's too little too late. The kids might get a kick out of this (it's G rated material all the way through) but nobody else. A 2 all the way.

Fun, campy suspense/horror flick that fully satisfies, particularly if you don't take it too seriously. For continuity buffs note the sets in the foyer and library of Cesar Romero's house. Look familiar? Compare them with your copy of "My Fair Lady". No one ever said Jack Warner didn't know how to squeeze a nickel and recycle an expensive set!!

As for the gory movies of today, This movie is not as scary as The Nightmare On Elm Street. I wish this movie could be released to video. I haven't seen it, since I was a child. Please put this movie on tape I likewise wasn't fond of Parley Bear, when he played Mayor Roy Stoner, on The Andy Griffith Show.