Strange Illusion (1945)

Haunted by a chilling dream that his father's tragic train accident was no mere misfortune, college student Paul Cartwright grapples with the uncanny duality of reality and nightmare. His late father, Judge Albert Cartwright, was deeply engaged in criminology work, and now Paul finds himself drawn into a mysterious web of truth and deception, just as his nightmares become increasingly prophetic. Paul's unease intensifies when smooth-talking Brett Curtis enters his life, courting his mother Virginia with a disconcerting charm. Curtis, a self-proclaimed businessman, triggers a familiar dread in Paul. He suspects Curtis is none other than the sinister figure haunting his dreams - the elusive Claude Barrington, a criminal kingpin his father was investigating before his untimely death. The twist? Barrington is officially dead. As Curtis weaves his dangerous charm around not only Virginia, but also Paul's younger sister, Dorothy, Paul finds himself isolated in his suspicion. His only confidante in this maze of uncertainty is family friend Dr. Vincent, an academic and physician. Together, they uncover a disturbing connection between Curtis and Dr. Muhlbach, who runs the dubious Restview Sanitarium. Paul's nightmare intensifies as he realizes that his mother is falling under Curtis's sinister influence, echoing his haunting dream. His pursuit of proof against Curtis becomes a perilous game of cat and mouse, threatening not only his own safety but also that of his loved ones, particularly Dorothy and his girlfriend Lydia. Barrington, after all, is known for his dangerous fascination with young women - both romancing them and eliminating them if it suits his nefarious purpose. In this suspenseful tale, Paul must unravel the truth buried in his nightmares and confront the monstrous reality. Will he succeed in his quest, or will he become another casualty in Barrington's ruthless game? "Strange Illusion" is a haunting journey that blurs the line between dreams and reality, weaving a tale of intrigue, danger, and unrelenting suspense.

Strange Illusion is a mystery movie featuring Jimmy Lydon and directed by Edgar G. Ulmer.

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