British-made film from Anthony Dawson's book about a collegiate young miss who believes her mother's "suicide" was orchestrated by her suave, slimy stepfather, whom she also believes killed her real father some years prior. Simple plot (young girl playing detective) is heightened by fine European locales, decent writing, and an effective cast. Mandy Miller, who amusingly resembles both Phoebe Cates and a Mouseketeer-age Annette Funicello, has some very good scenes sniffing around the hotel room of Peter van Eyck, searching for clues and finding them. But van Eyck (with platinum blonde hair) plays a rather silly, flabby villain, and a few of his exploits are ridiculously far-fetched (such as his response to Miller's nosy dog "Toto", and also in a beach sequence wherein he makes like Jaws). The finale might have been ingenious and creepy, but somebody obviously got cold feet, ending the film with a reassuring "tag" (ostensibly to placate the censors). Too bad...this B-film had the makings of a twisted, twisty little thriller. **1/2 from ****
Review of The Snorkel
The Snorkel
(1958)
Fairly intriguing melodrama from Hammer Films; some possibilities missed...
13 October 2008