The Mephisto Waltz *** (1971, Alan Alda, Jacqueline Bisset, Curt Jurgens, Barbara Parkins, Bradford Dillman, William Windom – Classic Movie Review 13,236)

Jacqueline Bisset with her co-star and partner Michael Sarrazin in The Sweet Ride (1968).

‘Shake Hands With the Demon!’ Alan Alda plays a junior music reporter who is gradually possessed in the 1971 supernatural horror mystery thriller film The Mephisto Waltz.

Director Paul Wendkos’s 1971 supernatural horror mystery thriller film The Mephisto Waltz is written by Ben Maddow based on Fred Mustard Stewart’s novel, and stars Alan Alda, Jacqueline Bisset, Curt Jurgens, Barbara Parkins, Bradford Dillman, and William Windom.

The Mephisto Waltz is scary, well-played, atmospheric satanic goings-on, handsomely presented in quirky style by Paul Wendkos. The young Alan Alda plays Myles Clarkson, the junior music reporter who is gradually possessed after he interviews dying pianist Duncan Ely (Curt Jurgens). Jacqueline Bisset co-stars as Paula Clarkson.

It is funny how you can believe in such an incredible yarn! That would be the good cast, polished script and effective direction.

Naturally, the music includes Franz Liszt’s The Mephisto Waltz.

Also in the cast are Kathleen Widdoes, Pamelyn Ferdin, Curt Lowens, Gregory Morton, Janee Michelle, Lilyan Chauvin, Khigh Dhiegh, Alberto Morin, Berry Kroeger, and Terrence Scammell.

The Mephisto Waltz is directed by Paul Wendkos, runs 115 minutes, is made by Quinn Martin Productions, is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Ben Maddow, is shot by William W Spencer, is produced by Quinn Martin, is scored by Jerry Goldsmith, and is designed by Richard Y Harman.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,236

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