Tormented (Horror-Thriller, 1960)

Set on a small island off Cape Cod, Tormented follows Tom Stewart (Richard Carlson), a jazz pianist preparing to marry Meg Hubbard (Lugene Sanders). His ex-lover, Vi Mason (Juli Reding), threatens to expose their past affair with incriminating love letters. During a confrontation at an abandoned lighthouse, Vi falls from a broken railing; Tom, gripped by cowardice, lets her die rather than save her. Her body vanishes into seaweed, but Vi’s ghost begins haunting Tom with supernatural signs: her perfume lingers, footprints appear on the beach, a record plays inexplicably, flowers wilt, and ghostly visions (a severed head, a floating hand) torment him. As Tom’s guilt and paranoia grow, Meg’s young sister, Sandy (Susan Gordon), notices odd events, while a sleazy beatnik ferryman, Nick (Joe Turkel), blackmails Tom after suspecting his role in Vi’s death. The ghost’s relentless haunting pushes Tom toward desperate acts, including contemplating murdering Sandy to keep his secret. The climax unfolds at the lighthouse, where Vi’s ghost intervenes, leading to Tom’s downfall. The film ends with a haunting image: Vi’s body, found beside Tom’s, wears Meg’s stolen wedding ring, symbolizing her spectral victory.
Cast: Richard Carlson as Tom Stewart: A tormented pianist, known for Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).
Juli Reding as Vi Mason: The vengeful ex-lover, a lesser-known actress with few other credits.
Lugene Sanders as Meg Hubbard: Tom’s fiancée, a TV actress with roles in The Life of Riley.
Susan Gordon as Sandy Hubbard: Meg’s young sister, daughter of director Bert I. Gordon, appeared in his The Boy and the Pirates (1960).
Joe Turkel as Nick: The blackmailing ferryman, later iconic as Lloyd in The Shining (1980) and Tyrell in Blade Runner (1982).

Other Facts:
Director/Production: Directed by Bert I. Gordon, known for low-budget sci-fi/horror like The Amazing Colossal Man. Produced by Allied Artists, filmed on Santa Catalina Island, California, in black-and-white.
Cinematography/Music: Shot by Ernest Laszlo, a noir veteran, giving it a moody, atmospheric look. Albert Glasser’s jazzy score adds a unique, pulpy vibe.
Effects: Practical effects create Vi’s ghostly presence (e.g., floating hands, superimposed images). While creepy for the time, some effects, like the lighthouse fall, appear dated or unintentionally humorous.

Reception: Mixed reviews; IMDb rates it 4.9/10. Critics praise Carlson’s intense performance and the film’s eerie tone but note weak supporting acting and a predictable plot. Its camp appeal grew after a 1992 Mystery Science Theater 3000 riff, boosting its cult status.
Cultural Impact: A quintessential B-movie, it reflects 1960s horror’s focus on guilt and supernatural retribution, predating more sophisticated ghost stories. Its low-budget charm and quirky effects make it a nostalgic gem for horror fans.