DAUGHTER OF THE MIND (1969)
Dir: Walter Grauman

A spy thriller with noir sensibilities, Daughter of the Mind was marketed as a horror film due to its ostensible theme of communication from beyond the grave. Ray Milland is a professor haunted by visitations from his dead daughter, and seeks the aid of university colleague (and pre- Knot's Landing) Don Murray, a paranormal researcher. Quite soon the plot verges fully into espionage and counter-intelligence trickery, but despite lapses in pace and a talky script remains interesting for a few disturbing reasons. A hateful Cold War mentality permeates the second half of the story, with near McCarthian paranoia guiding the climax and denouement. As a peek into the time capsule, Daughter will surely fascinate those too young to remember the supposed threat of Commies lurking around every corner. Equally intriguing is a sort of misanthropic view of society in general: there are subtle intimations that Milland's relationship with his young daughter may have been a tad bit "creepy"; his invalid wife has a cold heart towards their deceased child; those paid to protect and heal are dubious in their intent at best; and our own government, here dramatized as heroes, will stoop to all lows to safeguard democracy (Homeland Security, anyone?)

In terms of TV entertainment, Daughter, upon its initial airing, no doubt seemed more ambitious than average fare, and is intelligent in its somber tone and technical proficiency. Early "visits" from the dead girl are eerie and moody. Veteran actors Milland and Gene Tierny provide some gloss, especially the latter, so far from her glory days and yet still commanding as a wheelchair-bound cynic.