Lake of the Dead (1958)

It is again Friday which means time for another fifties movie review. This is my first recommendation from a reader as it was suggested that I might want to track down a copy. This movie is from Norway and deals with subject matter that would have not been dealt with in the US at the time. That is probably why I’ve never seen Lake of the Dead before.

The story opens with a man and his wife discussing the book that he has just finished. He mentions that it deals with the occult and without further explanation we see what I think is a flashback to the pair on a train headed to an isolated cabin with some friends. Along with them is Lillian, whose twin brother Bjorn is who they are all traveling to visit. We get some background about how the twins can sense each other and Lillian even relates a story where she knew her brother was in danger. Then she tells them that he hasn’t been responding to her letters. So, something must be up.

They arrive at the cabin with the help of the local constable, who is a family friend, only to find that Bjorn is missing. Then they hear the ghost story of the lake. It deals with a man who loved his sister so much that he refused to share her with another man. Remember the subject matter I was talking about? He killed himself and still haunts the lake occasionally possessing people to make them throw themselves in the lake. They find Bjorn’s dog dead and his tracks lead to the lake so that seems to be what happened. But is it? The rest of the movie is them trying to figure out the mystery of the lake and what happened to Bjorn. All the time a force seems to seize Lillian calling her to the lake and her death.

There is a lot going on in Lake of the Dead. It teases the audience with the possibility that there are supernatural forces at work, while at the same time giving logical alternatives. This creates some confusion in that you never really know until the end what is going on. In a less well executed movie this would have been annoying but with this one it is the whole reason to watch. I was sucked in and kept changing my mind as to what was going on. What each character said made sense, so I became as conflicted as they were. That is a neat trick and is excellent writing. These characters are fleshed out and the dialogue great. Be warned that there are subtitles, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the kind of movie where you have to pay attention to every word of dialogue, so this works in its favor.

This is a beautifully shot black and white movie.

The camera work is incredible. This is one of the most beautifully shot black and white movies that I’ve ever watched. They make great use of the scenery and setting to create the atmosphere of isolation in the otherwise pretty lake. It is so perfect that it feels surreal and this is used as part of the storytelling. I can’t go into much more detail on this without giving things away and I refuse to do that with Lake of the Dead.

This is a very different movie from the others in the Fab fifties series. They have atomic monsters and aliens with the occasional giant bug tossed in for fun. This one is spooky and deals with insanity, hauntings, and dreams in a much more serious way. I’m sure that some fans might find it slow and boring, but to enjoy Lake of the Dead you are required to allow yourself to be drawn into the story and character. Turn off the lights and eliminate distractions because this one deserves your undivided attention. I’m recommend that everyone give this movie a chance.

© Copyright 2019 John Shatzer

A Manhattan Ghost Story by T.M. Wright

This is another author that was recently recommended to me. I decided to pick up this book to start things off since it was the first in a trilogy that was supposed to be one of Wright’s best. Plus, I was in the mood for a good ghost story and I think I got one.

Our main character is Abner Cray, a photographer hired to do a picture book about NYC. His friend Art is going out of town and offers his apartment to Abner to save him some money. But when he arrives at the place he finds a beautiful woman who claims to be Art’s girlfriend staying there as well. That seems odd to everyone including Art because his girlfriend Phyllis is dead! Yeah Abner’s new roommate is a ghost, but that doesn’t stop him from falling in love with her. But it isn’t just her that Abner is seeing, but all of the dead that haven’t moved on yet start to interact with him. Things get a little crazy after that.

I think that I really liked this book. The story is interesting and different. I was expecting a traditional ghost story but that isn’t at all what I got. Here Wright creates a world where ghosts are here in our world until they “fall apart” and move on. Some of them seem to attach themselves to people, like Phyllis does to Abner so they have something to hold onto. She basically uses him as an anchor to our world so that she doesn’t have to go. When she does start to fade Abner, who is now in love with her, goes looking. Along the way he meets even more of the dead and more that can see them. He learns some things about how this new world works, but also ends up more confused by the answers he gets. Eventually he finds Phyllis but as someone who he met earlier warned him he may not like what he finds.

It is never explained why some of the ghosts are so determined to stay while others aren’t. There is something hinted at that they might have unfinished business. In the case of Phyllis, we find out that she was killed by Art, who eventually is made to pay for his crimes. So that might be why she is sticking around. But then again, she has nothing to do with his punishment so maybe not. It is also possible that she is somehow leeching off of Abner, who goes thru some mental and emotional exhaustion looking for her and more so after they are back together. I get the distinct impression that he is getting ready to leave her at the end of the book. But the ending is sort of vague which I liked. Wright clearly doesn’t feel the need to give you a neatly wrapped up ending and that is a good fit for the tone of the rest of the book.

I think I might be a fan of T.M. Wright and will be looking for the next entry into this series. If you get the chance to pick up a copy of A Manhattan Ghost Story I’d recommend that you do. It is an excellent read.

© Copyright 2019 John Shatzer