Victor Potel

Strange Illusion -- A young man suspects the his mother's suitor may have killed his father.

Strange Illusion -- ''Strange Illusion' is another stylish low-budget feature directed by Edgar G. Ulmer,' writes Carl Macek in Silver & Ward's indispensable guide 'Film Noir,' 'The most interesting aspect of the film rests in its updating of 'Hamlet,' complete with a message from beyond the grave and the faked insanity, into contemporary thriller. The asylum sequences are controlled visions of chaos and corruption, a mental hell sardonically defined by Ulmer.' A Poverty Row suspense classic as only Ulmer made 'em.

Charles Laughton stars in this hilarious tale of Marmaduke Ruggles, a stuffy British butler, traded in a poker game from an English Earl (Roland Young) to a wealthy and rowdy American, Egbert Floud (Charlie Ruggles). Ruggles' new home is Red Gap, Washington, where he is introduced by Egbert as "Colonel" Ruggles. The town ladies are quite taken by the sophisticated servant in disguise as he enamors them with fictitious stories of battles gone by. Ruggles proves his newfound patriotism in one of the best scenes of the film, his recitation of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in the Silver Dollar Saloon. The dream of freedom leads him to open his own restaurant, where one of his first customers is the Duke who has come to reclaim his former servant. Supporting performances by ZaSu Pitts and Mary Boland add to the popularity of this charming, light-hearted classic.

Young man believes that his mother's suitor may have killed his father.