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• Subpar B Film Thriller

  • Bruce Reber
  • 5/1/13

  I remember seeing "Tormented" lampooned on Mystery Science Theater 3000, a show that ran on TV during the 90's and ribbed some of the worst films ever made. This could have been a decent thriller if it weren't for the cardboard acting and totally hilarious "special effects" (especially all that seaweed!). Richard Carlson, the star of "Tormented", appeared in some really good sci-fi/thriller films during the 50's, i.e. "It Came From Outer Space", "The Magnetic Monster" and the classic "Creature From The Black Lagoon", but he really blew it when he agreed to be part of this mess. "Tormented" seems to have way more laughs than chills, and was directed by Bert I. Gordon, one of the B-movie kings of the 50's and 60's. It's hard for me to believe that anyone, except maybe the most dyed-in-the-wool thriller fans, would take "Tormented" seriously. I'd like to see it on TCM Underground; I just love to laugh at really bad B-movies!

• Demented(1960)

  • nshepard
  • 10/28/12

  Torn Stewart(Richard Carlson) lets his ex-lover, Vi Brown(Juli Reding) fall to her death from the top of the lighthouse, only to be "Tormented" by her ghost. Playing against type, Carlson known for his ambitious films slips into lethargy as he intends to marry Meg Hubbard(Lugene Saunders), she has money, lots of it. Sandy Hubbard(Susan Gordon) plays the younger sister, and she is a cute as a button and has talent. The trouble with the film is that the "ghost " scenes are crummy and not believable, and the hilarious "seaweed" wedding dress gets allot of laughs. The tension between Carlson and his "ghost" doesn't really deliver, unless you happen to be comatose. The script could have used many rewrites, just to keep the story believable.3 stars out of 5, Carlson made the correct choice, Vi is a b***h...really.

• Tormented (1960)

  • Celia Trimboli
  • 5/17/10

  Very good B movie. Spooky and atmospheric at times. Has been released several times through different sources. I would like to see a pristine remastered version released, although B movies are rarely given the preservation care they deserve.

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