The Mask of Diijon
Encyclopedia
The Mask of Diijon is a 1946 black-and-white
suspense film. The film, considered film noir, was directed by Lew Landers
.
The opening of the film features a memorable scene depicting a woman being beheaded, with a guillotine
--- then revealed to be a man.
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
suspense film. The film, considered film noir, was directed by Lew Landers
Lew Landers
Lew Landers was a prolific American film and television director.-Biography:Born Louis Friedlander in New York City, he began his movie career as an actor. In 1914 he appeared in two features, D. W. Griffith's The Escape and the comedy short Admission -- Two Pins, opposite Glen White, under his...
.
Plot
A tired magician gives up his act to study the power of the mind. His wife, once supportive, now is struggling to pay bills. She urges her stubborn and older husband to return to the magic field where Diijon was considered one of the greats. He refuses but does reluctantly agree to do a hypnotism night club act at Victoria's urging. The act goes bad and he's laughed off the stage. He's convinced this is the handiwork of Victoria's ex-lover Tony Holliday. Later, Diijon finds that he does indeed have the power to control men's minds and begins to take revenge on the people he felt made him look like a fool. He hypnotizes his young wife to kill the man. Unfortunately for Diijon, things go horribly wrong.The opening of the film features a memorable scene depicting a woman being beheaded, with a guillotine
Guillotine
The guillotine is a device used for carrying out :executions by decapitation. It consists of a tall upright frame from which an angled blade is suspended. This blade is raised with a rope and then allowed to drop, severing the head from the body...
--- then revealed to be a man.
Cast
- Erich von StroheimErich von StroheimErich von Stroheim was an Austrian-born film star of the silent era, subsequently noted as an auteur for his directorial work.-Background:...
as Diijon - Jeanne BatesJeanne BatesJeanne Bates was an American radio, film and television actress. She signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1942 which began her career in films both in bit parts and larger roles.-Career:...
as Victoria - William Wright as Tony Holiday
- Denise VernacDenise VernacDenise Vernac was a French film actress.-Career:She appeared in seventeen films between 1939 and 1966....
as Denise - Edward Van SloanEdward Van SloanEdward Van Sloan was an American film character actor best remembered for his roles in Universal Studios horror films.-Career:...
as Sheffield