[3] The film was remade by the same director in 1956 with the title Nightmare this time starring Edward G. Robinson playing the cop and Kevin McCarthy.

[4] Bank teller Vince Grayson (DeForest Kelley) dreams that he stabs a man in an octagonal room of mirrors and locks the body in a closet.

When he wakes up, he discovers marks on his throat, a strange key and a button in his pocket, and blood on his cuff.

The detective uncovers clues that point to an evil hypnotist (Robert Emmett Keane) manipulating Vince.

The taut pulp story, dreamy atmospheric settings and brooding mood throughout, all serve the film well.