L'homme au masque de verre

source: The Snorkel

Trailer—The Snorkel

The Snorkel

This terrific thriller is the equal of some of Alfred Hitchcock's work. There is non-stop frustration because an original device is used to commit a murder. No one can see how it has been done. The picture shows everyone watching how it is accomplished in the very beginning except of course, the other characters. Peter van Eyck plays the monster and a true monster he is. This guy is as suave and convincing as Joseph Cotten in Alfred Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt which is #169 in IMDb's list of top films. He is much more ruthless, savage and, well, just plain meaner than hell. He has created the most hateful character I think I've ever seen. Of course that's what makes this such an outstanding film. The only person who knows for sure how evil he is would naturally be the most innocent young girl cinema has ever seen. She just doesn't know how he's done it. I will say no more other than to say this: WATCH FOR IT! DON'T MISS IT! DON'T IGNORE IT JUST BECAUSE IT'S A HAMMER PRODUCTION!

Since we know the identity of the killer from the beginning the only question is how he will be caught.The adults in this film act like children and vice versa.The fact that strange suspicious events are occurring does not seem to make the adults investigate further,rather than telling the poor girl that see is going mad.The ending has a great deal of irony and makes up for any previous plot defects.

A surprisingly good British B-Movie from the reliably excellent Guy Green that most people don't know and have never seen but which has built up something of a cult reputation. That fine German actor Peter Van Eyck is the killer who fakes his wife's death by suicide but who remains the prime suspect in her murder in the eyes of his teenage step-daughter, (the once hugely talented child actress Mandy Miller not making a very good transition into adult acting; this was to be her last film). It's hardly Hitchcock but it's nicely plotted and well directed by Green. It also makes good use of its Italian locations and if it remains a minor work in the Green canon it is still a very enjoyable genre piece.

An excellent movie which I've seen many times, every time with great pleasure. Peter van Eyck and Mandy Miller achieve two exceptional roles as the criminal stepfather and the sensitive and intelligent daughter. Guy Green did a really good job directing this movie. Smart cinematography by Jack Asher. The music by Francis Chagrin very appropriate. A little masterpiece. Made in 1958, the year I was born, but who resisted the test of time very well.

The beginning of this film is very strange with a man, Paul Decker, (Peter Van Eyck) crawling around in a dark room and turning off various connections and inserting hoses and then you see him wearing a snorkel. As the film moves on you begin to realize just what is going on and discover that Paul Decker is up to no good and has caused many deaths. There is a daughter who becomes suspicious of her father Paul Decker and she is constantly watching him and even goes to the police, but no one believes her. Jean Edwards, (Betta St. John) tries to help Paul's daughter because she also has a love relationship with Paul, and the daughter and father definitely do not get along. This film will hold your interest and entertain you right to the very end, which is really funny. Enjoy

Can Anyone tell me what happened to Betta St.John? She was so,so underestimated. What a fine actress and pretty, to boot. Wasn't Mandy Miller awesome? She was just 15 when she made this movie- The scenary of the Italian Riviera is also gorgeous. And, Swiss-born (of Lebanese ancestry) Arslan is Great as an Italian Inspector of Police-- This movie is often played in the middle of the night on Channel 39 Ft. Lauderdale/Miami-- Hope everyone who loves good movies sees this one. Van Eyck! I think he must have wrote this one--For himself!!!

A plot common to quite a few suspense movies: apparently good guy gains affection of family, the better to obtain his greedy objectives. The alibi he creates for murder may have been clever in 1958 but today's technology would make it seem obvious. However, the plot resolves itself to a showdown between the killer and a little girl. While the tale may echo Cape Fear, The Night of the Hunter etc, without their panache, the ultimate resolution is more like Wait Until Dark and the climax is carried off with as much tension and almost as much success. It must be nearly 30 years since I first saw both films - and I recall this climax as clearly as the better known Arkin-Hepburn performance.