Movie spotlight
The Face at the Curtain
The Man, down on his luck, breaks into the home of a wealthy clubman to burglarize the place. The sudden dropping of a book which the man has displaced, arouses the wife who has been sitting up waiting for her husband. Ignorant of the fact that there is a burglar in the house, she telephones her husband at the club and asks him to come home. He refuses to do so until he is ready. When he arrives home, he is intoxicated. Her refusal to kiss him sends him into a drunken rage. He mistreats her. The Man has watched the whole domestic tragedy. He rescues the wife but while she is thanking him, the husband gets the "drop" on him and calls the police. The wife tells him that if the Man is arrested she will say he is her friend. The husband then comes to a realization of what he has done and begs forgiveness.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman is haunted by a mysterious face that appears at her window, driving her to the brink of madness. She seeks help from a mystic, who reveals a dark secret connected to her past. The film builds suspense as the woman attempts to uncover the truth behind the unsettling apparition.
Critical Reception
As a very early silent film, specific critical reception is difficult to pinpoint with modern metrics. However, Tod Browning's early work often explored macabre themes, and this short film is noted for its atmospheric tension and unsettling imagery, typical of his later, more famous works.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its early exploration of psychological horror and suspense.
Considered an interesting precursor to Tod Browning's later gothic thrillers.
Appreciated for its atmospheric direction and creepy imagery within its short runtime.
Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews for this silent short film from 1915 is not available.
Fun Fact
This film marks one of Tod Browning's earliest directorial efforts before he became famous for directing films like Dracula (1931) and Freaks (1932).
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