- Dr. Clive Riordan (Robert Newton) is a pompous psychiatrist who has mapped out the perfect murder. The intended victim is Bill Kronin (Phil Brown), a licentious American having an affair with Clive's perpetually unfaithful wife Storm (Sally Gray). You see, Clive has finally cooked up a solution to the age-old problem of how to dispose of a corpse. More specifically, it is a chemical solution in which he intends to dissolve the body before flushing it down the drain. He even has a plan for what to do if the authorities come knocking at his door - he's going to keep Bill alive in a dungeon for several months before killing him!
- I realize that the part about keeping Bill alive doesn't really sound like a sensible component of a murder scheme, but both Clive and Scotland Yard Superintendant Finsbury (Naunton Wayne) hold the notion in surprisingly high regard. Although Finsbury claims to be looking into the Riordan's missing dog, one gathers that he was tipped off that Clive had something to do with Bill's disappearance. The deciding factor in this case, it seems, will be which man is more patient. Will it be Clive, who has to keep bringing sandwiches and newspapers to Bill without being seen? Or will it be Finsbury, who doesn't really have any solid evidence of Clive's guilt?
- With its boasting mastermind, quirky characters, and intense Englishness, Obsession falls cleanly into the "Not Quite Hitchcock" category of films. I found myself particularly entertained by the fact that this nominally successful psychiatrist was shown meeting with only one patient while spending ample amounts of time at his favorite gentlemen's club or playing with his elaborate basement train set. The film also has a lot of fun toying with audience sympathies, which may initially have resided with Clive prior to his attempt to dip the family dog in an acid bath. Edward Dmytryk's always-capable direction supports his reputation as an expert of suspense, if not quite the master.
- The film was released with the title "The Hidden Room" in the USA.
- Based on a novel by Alec Coppel called "A Man About a Dog" which is just silly.
- Phil Brown played Uncle Owen in Star Wars!
