Midnight Lace

An effective damsel-stalked-by-psycho horror tale, only more lush, as befitting any film produced by Ross Hunter. [15 Aug 1999, p.035]

A smoothly efficient variation on the 'frightened lady' thriller.

It's always nice to have a mystery melodrama, no matter how implausible it may be, that takes place amid elegant surroundings and involves people who are beautiful and rich. It makes one feel so luxurious to be there with the diamonds and champagne, enjoying the heat on the rich folks and knowing that you are not going to be burned.

Director David Miller adds a few pleasant little humorous touches and generally makes the most of an uninspired yarn.

While nothing to rival Hitchcock, the film's look and direction make it a worthwhile effort. Doris Day makes the switch from light comedy to suspense fairly well, creating a believable victim, while Harrison, his usual debonair self, adopts a sinister air.

This thriller was overpraised in the '60s and it still looks hokey. The acting ranges from wooden to petrified: Day and Rex Harrison are at their least convincing, and John Gavin sounds like his voice was dubbed by someone barely more British than himself. [29 Jul 1987, p.19]