Dreams? Nightmares? It’s a Sinister Stroll with “The Night Walker”- Tonight!

Barbara Stanwyck is trapped in a world where dreams and reality seem to blur- and a mysterious dream lover brings her to the brink of insanity- in "The Night Walker"!

Irene (played by Barbara, in what ended up being her last actual movie role as she transferred her career to TV's small screen) has a jealous old husband , the wealthy -and blind-Howard.  He has a penchant for recording things- including his wife, talking in her sleep in such a manner that he begins to suspect she has a secret lover. He reveals his suspicions (and the secret recordings) to his lawyer Barry- and ,seeing as how Barry is pretty much the only person who comes to the house regularly, hints that perhaps the unknown Romeo in question might possibly be him! Barry is somewhat indignant, and takes his leave of  his client- only to be stopped on his way out by Irene  who explains that her sleep-talking is in regards to a lover who exists only in her dreams. Barry departs, but Howard has it out with Irene, accusing her of being unfaithful- and prompting her to storm out of the house. It is then that something strange lures Howard to his upstairs laboratory- where  an odd occurrence appears to take his life!

But- that doesn't end Irene's problems. Strange events begin to fill her nights in the house, but she can't tell if they are really happening- or if she is dreaming them. She can't take staying in the house any longer - and decides to stay in a beauty parlor that belongs to her- in hopes that the new surroundings will free her from the nightmares that plague her. However, things appear to get worse- and more realistic, if they ARE only nightmares- culminating in the lover from her dreams making all-too-realistic nightly visits - and taking her away to share his plans for her - in a bizarre Twilight Zone where the dream lover isn't the only inhabitant! Upon her return from the latest unnerving rendezvous, Irene enlists Barry's help  to prove that she is experiencing these nightmares in the real world- or that she  has lost her senses!

This 1964 chiller is an offering from the renowned  William Castle- whose tendency to scare audiences with gimmicky productions that included a great deal of ballyhoo and exploitation -like "House on Haunted Hill" and "The Tingler"-is actually somewhat subdued for this movie, although you can see his hand in it very easily. Major star Barbara Stanwyck  shares the screen with another big name -Robert Taylor- as well as an actor we know best from a certain sitcom, and other familiar faces viewers of MeTV shows will recognize. We add in some Sven shtick to guarantee a full night of fright and fun!

"Night Walker" hits its stride tonight at 10 pm eastern/pacific, 9 central/mountain, and, if unsure who runs us in your area, please check those local listings and/ or the "where to watch" tab at www.metv.com  . Our Chicago area viewers get a second run of "The Black Cat" on our sister station, WCIU, the U, at 11 am.

For those who wish to give the gift of Sven merchandise- one more warning-  you probably want to order now, to ensure that you'll get your order in time for holiday gift giving- as the actual days of celebration near, the huge demand can delay processing. Not trying to be a broken record (or broken cd, or broken MP3)- I just want to  make sure you'll get what you want when you need it! Just click on the "store" tab on our website.

Meanwhile, put in those Dr. Scholl inner soles and get ready to keep up with the "Night Walker"- tonight!