this be essentially a variation on house of wax and in both the plot and the type of role play by the star of both movie and vincent price . in both picture he play a talented artist who be send topple over the edge into insanity when his creation be usurp by other and less talented and less scrupulous people . in this movie he play a designer of illusion for stage magician who aspire to set out on a perform career himself only to be frustrate when another illusionist and the great rinaldo ( john emery ) insist that he honour his contract and give him first choice of any illusion he design . price be already ill dispose towards rinaldi a his former wife be now a paramour of rinaldi . he deploy his talent a an illusionist and a a brilliant mimic to avenge himself upon rinaldi and others who thwart his plan for recognition a a performer and a designer . price be pretty much the whole show here and give a well judge star turn a a wronged man whose predicament earn audience sympathy . the rest of the cast be competent if colourless and the weight of the whole venture fall on price who carry the burden with ease . good solid b movie melodrama and this be a crime movie rather than a horror picture and be enjoyable provide you do not expect a masterpiece . shot in black and white it be low on gore and be best see a melodrama and enjoy for the presence of it star give an idiosyncratic performance .