Criss Cross

“Who’s double crossing who? Or is it ‘whom’? Crosser or crossee, you’ll never know who dunnit ‘til the end!”

So went the ad campaign for Criss Crossed, Gene Marshall’s 1951 mystery thriller.

Gene had already made Tango and Daughter of the Nile that same year—and this foray into an atmospheric “dark old house” melodrama was a welcome change.

The tale of the reunion of thirteen casual former school chums at a gloomy and forbidding beach house had audiences on the edges of their seats. Gasps and nervous laughter filled the theatre at every showing (along with appreciative whistles whenever Gene as the glamorous Christina Cross appeared in a new gown).

Shadowy hallways, dark passages, and a chilling chase crossing the craggy coast for the climax confounded movie-goers as to who the killer was—right up until the last few minutes of the film. And many an office watercooler jockey was told off after revealing the surprise ending to co-workers who hadn’t seen the movie yet!

Gene loved her role so much in Criss Crossed that she jumped at the chance to spread the word about the film—even appearing in a one-hour radio version that re-created the film...right up to the final revelation! The day after the broadcast, theatres across the country bulged with eager fans dying to know exactly WHO DUNNIT!!!

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