The 1945 American film noir, "Bewitched," directed and written by Arch Oboler, delves into a dark psychological drama starring Phyllis Thaxter and Edmund Gwenn. This film stands apart from other works sharing the "Bewitched" title, offering a suspenseful narrative centered on a young woman grappling with a terrifying internal struggle. The story is presented as a flashback, with Dr. Bergson recounting the intricate details of a compelling case to his secretary,
who is captivated by the unfolding events. This framing device immediately establishes a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing the audience into the complex mental state of the protagonist.
The Emergence of a Second Personality
The narrative begins on the night of an engagement party for Joan Ellis, a seemingly demure young woman portrayed by Phyllis Thaxter. Overwhelmed by a persistent voice in her head, voiced by Audrey Totter, Joan abruptly flees her Midwestern home for New York City. Her sudden departure leaves her loving family and friends shocked and bewildered, with a note asking them not to search for her. In New York, Joan adopts the name Joan Smith and attempts to build a new life, eventually falling in love with Eric Russell, an attorney. The voice, which identifies itself as Karen, approves of Eric. During a river cruise, Karen briefly takes control of Joan, kissing Eric with an intense, possessive passion that deeply unnerves him. When Joan regains consciousness, she is distraught, asking, "What did I do?" and bursting into tears. Eric is concerned, but Joan's inability to confide in him about her experiences significantly heightens the film's tension and suspense. The story repeatedly presents opportunities for her to reveal her secret, but these moments always pass, leaving her isolated in her struggle.
A Tragic Turn and a Desperate Plea
After a prolonged search, Joan's loyal fiancé, Bob Arnold, finally locates her. His joy is short-lived, however, as Karen seizes control of Joan's right hand while he is helping her pack, compelling her to stab him in the back with a pair of scissors. Joan is subsequently put on trial for murder, a capital offense. Dr. Bergson is called as an expert witness, asserting that Joan is not insane. Joan remains silent throughout the proceedings, a silence that Eric skillfully uses to convince the jury that there is more to the story than meets the eye, arguing for her innocence despite the apparent facts. After a lengthy deliberation, the jury returns a verdict of not guilty, much to Karen's exultation within Joan's mind. Karen gloats that she will now have Eric and, once she tires of him, he will suffer the same fate as Bob. In a desperate act, Joan leaps to her feet, screaming "I’m guilty!" repeatedly, revealing her internal torment.
Imprisoned and awaiting execution, Joan steadfastly refuses to explain her actions to anyone. Lying in utter misery on her cot, she weakly murmurs to Eric, "I want to die. When I die, she dies." This profound statement sparks a realization in Dr. Bergson. With Joan's execution imminent, he persuades the governor to listen to his theory: that two women inhabit one body, one guilty and one innocent. He retrieves a book from the governor's library that addresses this very subject, though it remains unread. Eric is also present as Dr. Bergson grimly declares, "There will be an execution tonight." He then hypnotizes Joan, and in a classic cinematic representation of spirits, Joan and Karen emerge transparently, standing on either side of Joan's seated form. Karen is depicted with heavy makeup and a feral smile. Dr. Bergson repeatedly tells Joan that she is growing stronger and Karen that she is weakening, effectively dying. Under his relentless psychological assault, the image of Karen fades and disappears. Joan slumps forward into Eric's arms, then straightens, smiling, finally free from her tormentor.
