MIDNIGHT LACE (1960)

Though not quite up to the quality of an Alfred Hitchcock production, Midnight Lace is an obvious homage to the director, telling the story of a newly-married American heiress, Kit Preston (Doris Day), living in London with her husband Tony (Rex Harrison), who suddenly becomes the target of a stalker who claims he will kill her before the month is over.  First approaching her in the fog, then via telephone, the anonymous maniac grows ever-closer ... even as circumstantial evidence builds that maybe Kit is actually imagining the whole thing.  The suspicion is doled out effectively - to Kit's husband, her aunt, the shady son of the Preston's housekeeper, a hunky construction foreman - while at the same time making the viewer question Kit's sanity ... all well-handled and grounded by a searing performance by Doris Day, who supposedly had her own mini-breakdown from making the film.  While the ending might not be wholly original, it's a taut high-wire act getting there.  And yeah, even in 2014 the killer's voice remains amazingly creepy. (not rated)  ***1/2

MIDNIGHT LACE trailer