If this seems like a typical gothic ghost story that’s because it redefined the genre, and became the template for most serious ghost stories that followed. Before this you would have the Old Dark House silly spookery or dark and stormy night murder mystery, but this showed what a little class and believability could bring. Star Ray Milland always performed with a charismatic twinkle in his eye, which bring levity to the sad tale of two possible ghosts, one friendly and the other hostile. There’s humor, but it’s not done to deliberately off-set the mournful tone. Instead of scares, the film gets by on atmosphere and chilling imagery.
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