Movie spotlight
London, 1888: on the night of the third Jack the Ripper killing, soft-spoken Mr. Slade, a research pathologist, takes lodgings with the Harleys, including a gloomy attic room for "experiments." Mrs. Harley finds Slade odd and increasingly suspects the worst; her niece Lily (star of a decidedly Parisian stage revue) finds him interesting and increasingly attractive. Is Lily in danger, or are her mother's suspicions merely a red herring?
A mentally unstable Polish refugee, disfigured by his country's suffering, becomes the prime suspect in a series of brutal murders plaguing London. The police believe he is the 'Jack the Ripper' copycat killer. He lives in constant fear and paranoia, struggling with his past and the accusations against him.
Man in the Attic, a B-movie thriller, received mixed to negative reviews upon its release. While Jack Palance's intense performance was often singled out, the film was frequently criticized for its predictable plot, low production values, and gratuitous violence.
Jack Palance delivers a chilling and memorable performance as a tormented suspect.
The film suffers from a convoluted plot and a lack of genuine suspense.
Despite its flaws, it offers a glimpse into the noir thrillers of the era.
Google audience: Audience reviews for Man in the Attic are scarce, but historical commentary suggests that while Jack Palance's performance was impactful, the film's overall execution and narrative were often found wanting.
The film was originally intended to be a vehicle for actor Paul Henreid, who was also slated to direct, but he withdrew from the project.
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Jack Palance is "Slade", a curiously enigmatic stranger who takes rooms in the home of the "Harley" family. It's at the height of the paranoia in Victorian London surrounding the "Jack the Ripper" killings and as our story develops, both "M...