The Night Walker (1964), dir. William Castle, William Castle Productions
A William Castle film that doesn't have a gimmick? Will wonders never cease?
The Trents aren't a happy couple. Husband Howard (Hayden Rorke) is blind, rich, and an inventor. Wife Irene (Barbara Stanwyck) is more or less shackled to the man, figuratively although literally wouldn't come as a surprise.
Howard is convinced Irene is having an affair. Her arguments that she never leaves the house and never talks to anyone falls on death ears. He knows she's unfaithful, because he listens to her in her sleep. He can tell she's calling to a man that isn't him.
There is one suspect that Howard zeroes in on; Barry Moreland (Robert Taylor) is Howard's lawyer. Right after voicing his fears publicly, there is an explosion in Howard's lab. The scientist is blown to atoms.
Irene isn't freed by this; no and it seems his death makes worse. Ever since the night of Howard's death, she's been plagued by increasing vivid nightmares. It gets so bad she even moves back into her old apartment.
The dreams get worse, ending in Howard seeking revenge. As her nightmares continue, she starts dreaming about a new figure, a physically ideal man (Lloyd Bochner). The dream lover, in the most vivid one to date, sweeps her off her feet and even marries her, but to her horror the groom turns into a grinning Howard.
When she tells Barry the next day, he isn't convinced but agrees to take her around town in efforts to jog her memory. They find the dream lover's apartment and the chapel. Irene even finds the ring he gave her. When they leave, the dream lover emerges from the shadows...
To say anymore would spoil, but the final twist is a bit weak after all that build up. Such a twist that it almost spoils the entire film. The story is a bit muddled and that hurts the whole thing overall.
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