Shot in 3-D, it was his last film one of Carlson's more obscure sf/horror vehicles.“ The Maze 3D” (1953, Kino Lorber) What is the terrible secret of an ancient Scottish castle and its forbidding hedge maze that has vexed its ex-pat heir (sci-fi stalwart Richard Carlson, who would have celebrated his 106th birthday tomorrow)? The answer is absolutely ludicrous, and would be enough for me to recommend this rarely seen, low-budget Gothic thriller, but there’s also a remarkable amount of shivery black-and-white photography and some swell 3D effects, both courtesy of William Cameron Menzies in his final effort as director. More a Gothic horror-mystery than straightforward sf, The Maze features Menzies' usual stylish design and benefits from his strong direction, although it is never very frightening. Upon learning that his secret has been discovered, the old frog-gentleman leaps to his death from a castle turret, clearing the way for the marriage to go forward.

He grew to be roughly the size of a full-grown human – the traditional family Monster – and having the life-span of some amphibians, is well over two hundred years old. Perhaps through some genetic mutation (see Mutants), the elder McTeam was born 'frozen' in the amphibious stage of foetal development: that is, in the form of a frog. After several mysterious events in and around the castle – which has an adjoining hedge-maze (see Labyrinths) – she learns that Sir Gerald's family has for generations guarded a deep secret concerning his great-great-grandfather. Not a woman easily discouraged, Kitty follows him to Craven Castle, accompanied by her aunt Edith Murray (Emery), and gradually unravels the reason behind Sir Gerald's actions. Sir Gerald McTeam (Carlson) receives a message which causes him to abruptly break off his engagement to Kitty Murray (Hurst) and rush to the castle he has inherited in the Scottish highlands, with no explanation to her. Cast includes Richard Carlson, Katherine Emery, Veronica Hurst and Michael Pate.

Written by Daniel B Ullman from the novel The Maze ( 1945) by Maurice Sandoz.

The Maze by Maurice Sandoz