1944's "Weird Woman" was the second of six 'Inner Sanctum' mysteries, later included in Universal's popular SHOCK! package of classic horror titles issued to television in the late 50s. An improvement on "Calling Dr. Death," based on a real novel, Fritz Leiber's "Conjure Wife," which received its best film adaptation in 1961's British "Burn, Witch, Burn" aka "Night of the Eagle," a far more sober and frightening version. This first take may be a lot more fun however, as Lon Chaney, again cast as a suave 'mental giant' irresistible to women, struggles against more clumsy dialogue and characterization, Prof. Norman Reed's calls for rationality over superstition reducing him in stature to more of a bungler before it's over. As his new bride Paula, a 'superstitious child' he found in the jungle, Anne Gwynne is faced with the most difficult role, using old world charms and medallions to ensure safety for her sadly doubting husband. In a real change of pace, Evelyn Ankers truly sinks her teeth into the role of Ilona Carr, vindictive 'woman scorned,' Norman's former lover, whose offer to continue their affair is rebuffed. Lois Collier, who debuted opposite Chaney in the still unreleased "Cobra Woman," is college student Margaret Mercer, constantly swooning over the prof, until he catches on and throws her out of his office, giving her dimwitted boyfriend (Phil Brown) homicidal ideas to avenge her honor (pity he never thought to ask her what actually happened). Elisabeth Risdon actually has the best female role as the college Dean, tossing off one pithy comment after another on the various foibles of faculty members such as Millard Sawtelle (Ralph Morgan), whose recently published book Ilona discovers to be a work of plagiarism, planting in his head that Reed also knows and plans to blow the whistle on him; the distraught man, fervently driven to succeed by his domineering wife Evelyn (Elizabeth Russell, in her only Universal horror), confesses all before committing suicide, Evelyn pointing the finger of guilt on both Norman and Paula. Appearing in one scene opposite William Hudson (both gossiping students) is Kay Harding, whose brief career included "The Scarlet Claw," "The Mummy's Curse," and "The Woman in Green." Lois Collier followed this film with "Jungle Woman," "The Naughty Nineties," "The Crimson Canary," "The Cat Creeps," and "A Night in Casablanca," later co-starring opposite Kent Taylor on television's BOSTON BLACKIE. Director Reginald Le Borg effectively builds to a surprise climax that leaves every character stunned, Evelyn Ankers remaining the shining jewel among jewels, obviously relishing the opportunity to play a black hearted femme fatale, which she would also do in "The Pearl of Death" and "The Lone Wolf in London." "Weird Woman" only made one appearance on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater, paired Dec 22 1973 with second feature "The New Invisible Man," a 1958 Mexican remake of Universal's "The Invisible Man Returns."
Review of Weird Woman
