TWO ON A GUILLOTINE

(director: William Conrad; screenwriters: story by Henry Slesar/Henry Slesar/John Kneubuhl; cinematographer: Sam Leavitt; editor: William Ziegler; music: Max Steiner; cast: Cesar Romero (Duke Duquesne), Connie Stevens (Cassie Duquesne / Melinda Duquesne), Dean Jones (Val Henderson), Russell Thorsen (Mr. Carmichael – Val’s Editor), Parley Baer (Jules ‘Buzzy’ Sheridan), Virginia Gregg (Dolly Bast), John Hoyt (Attorney Vickers), Connie Gilchrist (Ramona Ryerdon); Runtime: 107; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: William Conrad; WB; 1965)

“The overlong pic is a misfire.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

TV’s Cannon, William Conrad(“Brainstorm”/”Man From Galveston”/”My Blood Runs Cold”), helms this old-fashioned b/w shot haunted house film. It’s based on a story by Henry Slesar, and is written by Slesar and John Kneubuhl.

Renown eccentric magician, Duke Duquesne (Cesar Romero), dies and leaves with his lawyer (John Hoyt) final instructions on his burial and claims he will return from the dead. The conditions of his will state that in order to collect $300,000 his estranged young adult daughter Cassie (Connie Stevens) must spend a week alone in his spooky mansion.

The overlong pic is a misfire, as it fails to be either scary or funny. But is has its campy moments. Cesar Romero is a scream as the illusionist. Connie Stevens plays both Romero’s unhappy wife and his estranged heiress daughter. Dean Jones plays the reporter who is love sick for the heiress.

REVIEWED ON 5/12/2015 GRADE: C+