THE MASK OF DIIJON (1946)
Directed by Lew Landers (The Raven 1935,Crime Inc 1935)this mystery/horror yarn stars the caustic Erich von Stroheim as Diijon a magician and stage illusionist who studies the art of hypnosis. When his wife leaves him for a younger man and he attempts a comeback that ultimately results in his humiliation he becomes driven by his obsession for revenge and plots his master plan to hypnotizing people into committing murders in order to avenge himself.
The film also stars Jeanne Bates as Victoria, Edward Van Sloan, William Wright and Denise Vernac.
You mesmerize me as always-MonsterGirl
Joey, Erich von Stroheim is always a colorful and unique character whether he’s busting the chops of the prisoners on STALAG 17 or mesmerizing women to do his bidding! :-) Fun post, as always, my friend!
Glad you like it kiddoe, BTW, thanks so much for my kind birthday wishes, but Olivia and I celebrate on July 1st. I was just gushing about being able to share a birthday with her. The photo of her was magnificent. Will you please serenade me again with a Danny Kaye lyric in July
Happy Birthday to Olivia and anyone you want to celebrate with! :-D And hey, pal, you never have to twist my arm to get me to do a blog post on our hero Danny Kaye! He’s done so many swell movies, so you tell me which Danny Kaye film you want most, and I’ll be glad to do the post in July! I’ve already done THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY and WONDER MAN over at TotED, so let me know what other Kaye-lossal films of his you’d like! :-D
He was a wonderful man. I’ll have to think of one that makes me nostalgic the most for him and my childhood. I love what he did with the stories of Hans Christian Anderson. But I’m sure I can get more creative than that for you…I’ve been sick, but working on our lovely Mary ugh the deadline draws near… How’s it going on your end pal?
Joey, I’m so sorry to hear you’re not feeling well! Is it allergies? It usually is here at Team Bartilucci HQ; lovely flowers around here, but allergy season itself, not so lovely, but sometimes you have to take the bitter with the sweet! :-) Have you tried taking showers in order to rinse off the pollen? Hope you feel better ASAP, my friend!
I admit that I’m always drawn most to the Danny Kaye movies where there’s mystery and suspense in the mix along with the comedy, especially playful suspense like …WALTER MITTY and WONDER MAN, and I also like KNOCK ON WOOD and THE COURT JESTER. If HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN is your favorite, by all means go ahead and pick it if that truly makes your heart sing on your birthday — that’s what friends are for! :-)
By the way, Jo, since you’re participating in The Mary Astor Blogathon, too (Hooray! The more, the merrier! :-)), you and other Astor fans may want to keep an eye on TCM tonight: its “Defining Era of Women on Film” night includes Mary in THE GREAT LIE (8 p.m. EST), her Best Supporting Actress Oscar, which also includes my pal and Blogathon co-hostess R.A. Kerr of Silver Screenings. Also, I’ll be DVR-ing my Blogathon pick, THE PALM BEACH STORY, at midnight. And of course, I’m all excited about your pick, THE MAN WITH TWO FACES! The Blogathon fun never ends! :-D
Oh Dori alas, we gave up cable tv years ago. The only hold out was so I could keep TCM. I’ve missed it terribly and it’s times like these that I wish I still had cable, but it’s not worth all the other garbage on there for those pirates to loot us classic movie lovers. Enjoy the festivities. I can’t wait to read everyone’s contributions to the blogathon.
Erich von Stroheim is the perfect villain/creepy guy. I truly believe his characters are capable of ANYTHING.
Agreed, he always looks like a man who drinks human blood and sits on sharp nails for recreation…