[Inner Sanctum] Pillow of Death

Universal City, CA: Universal Pictures, 1944. Draft script for the 1945 film. Copy belonging to studio secretary Marion Pecht, with her name in manuscript pencil at the top right corner of the front wrapper.

The sixth and final Inner Sanctum installment, featuring spiritualists, a haunted house, and a murder by suffocation, in what was seemingly a last gasp from the studio's film series. Sadly, the film's failure superseded its potential, even with all the right elements of a chilling melodrama.

Chaney,Jr. plays attorney Wayne Fletcher, who is engaged in an affair with his secretary, Donna (Joyce), who is tied to a rich family. He arrives home after a late night at the office to discover his wife has been murdered, a death by asphyxiation, with Wayne as the suspect. With the help psychic Julian Julian (Bromberg), the police investigate the murder. The psychic's motives are questionable, but he says he can contact Wayne's dead wife. At a seance to reach Vivian's spirit, the reluctant Wayne hears what he thinks is her voice but discovers Julian Julian in the shadows and accuses him of conspiracy. After several sleepless nights haunted by the voice of his lost wife, Wayne finally "gives in" to her spirit and attempts to kill Donna with a pillow, but is overpowered by police and leaps from a window to his death, per his wife's instructions.

Gray card titled wrappers, lacking rear wrapper, rubber-stamped production No. 7285, dated February 19 1945, with credits for screenwriter Bricker and story writer Babcock. 106 leaves, mimeograph duplication. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Good, lacking rear wrapper, bound with two gold brads.

Weaver, Universal Horrors.

[Book #128914]