Shelley Winters and Debbie Reynolds moved to California to escape from the scandal of their boys who killed a girl and went to prison for it, and all the gossip. Once there, they're still hounded by a stalker who keeps calling them. This all gives Shelley Winters a nervous breakdown. But, when did it really start, the viewer is thinking as the movie progresses. Shelley Winters is great as usual, as she is in everything she's in. And, the movie is successful in capturing the time period of the 30s/40s.
But still, the movie, seen once, doesn't really require or demand a second viewing, in my opinion of course. Henry Farrell was obviously trying to emulate the success of "Baby Jane" and "Sweet Charlotte", both of which he wrote and became huge box office hits, and this is similar in tone. But it is in no way as good as either of them. If you want to see it, you'll be glad you did, in order to complete the horror genre with big stars in them. But, once you find out about Helen's problem, she's better left alone.
But still, the movie, seen once, doesn't really require or demand a second viewing, in my opinion of course. Henry Farrell was obviously trying to emulate the success of "Baby Jane" and "Sweet Charlotte", both of which he wrote and became huge box office hits, and this is similar in tone. But it is in no way as good as either of them. If you want to see it, you'll be glad you did, in order to complete the horror genre with big stars in them. But, once you find out about Helen's problem, she's better left alone.