the famed otto preminger produce and direct this melodrama write by ben hect and andrew solt . a much over looked piece of film noir from 20th century fox star the allure gene tierney . although her husband bill sutton ( richard conte ) be a well know psychologist and ann sutton ( tierney ) be a kleptomaniac and who be trap into be treat by an unscrupulous hypnotist david korvo ( jose ferrer ) . korvo be notorious for make his living by take advantage of unsuspecting woman and blackmail them . korvo will force mrs. sutton involvement in a failed relationship payoff and murder . dirty dealing be go on for sure . and what be a girl to do while under a spell . whirlpool also feature represent charles bickford and barbara oneal and constance collier . with no disrespect to the beautiful tierney and a great director like preminger can make a not so flamboyant cast look good .