The sole directorial credit for Gabel (familiar as actor from Marnie et al.) re-calibrates James’ The Aspern Papers into a melodramatic psychological thriller. Publisher Robert Cummings tracks a 19th-century poet’s love letters in Venice and into quicksand with long-ago recipient Agnes Moorehead (in centenarian make-up by Bud Westmore) and her volatile niece Susan Hayward. With Joan Lorring (The Corn Is Green) and Eduardo Ciannelli (Kitty Foyle).

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