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In "Nightmare Castle" (1965), the cruel Dr. Stephen Arrowsmith murders his unfaithful wife, Muriel, then marries her sister to regain access to the family fortune. His new wife, Jenny, has a history of mental illness, making her the perfect victim for his plan to drive her over the edge so he can control her money. Adding to the fun is the aged housekeeper, Solange, whose youth has been restored by Muriel’s blood. Unfortunately for the nasty doctor, Muriel may be dead, but she—and her boyfriend—aren’t gone.
Originally titled Amanti d’oltretomba and "Night of the Doomed" in its U.K. release, the film is a grand example of Italian gothic horror. It has a big old manor house, ladies in poufy dresses, a nasty villain and a handsome hero who inspects a tomb by candelabra. British actress Barbara Steele plays both Muriel and Jenny, proving that a change of wig can go a long way toward distinguishing a vixen from an ingénue. The atmosphere is thickened by music scored by none other than the venerable Ennio Morricone, whose 500-plus film and television credits include "A Fistful of Dollars" (1964) and "The Mission" (1986).
