The Spiritualist (also known as The Amazing Mr. X) comes from director Bernard Vorhaus and features a screenplay by Crane Wilbur, Muriel Roy Bolton, and Ian McLellan Hunter. It stars Turhan Bey, Lynn Bari, and Cathy O’Donnell, with music composed by Alexander Laszlo and cinematography by John Alton. Christine Faber (Bari) believes she hears the voice of her deceased husband calling to her from the shore. While investigating, she encounters a mysterious man named Alexis (Bey), who seems remarkably familiar with her situation. Alexis presents himself as a spiritualist, but is he genuine? Christine and her younger sister Janet (O'Donnell) quickly become captivated by his persona and charm, though unexpected developments await them all. Reports indicate that test screenings of The Spiritualist didn’t fare well; some supernatural elements unintentionally elicited laughter. While it now appears somewhat dated in those areas, the film succeeds largely due to its atmosphere. It drifts along with an otherworldly feel, unhurriedly indulging viewers in striking imagery and revealing the deceptive world of a fraudulent medium. The sea and moon take on character roles themselves, as Alton and Vorhaus integrate them into the psychological drama unfolding alongside the human characters, who are either consumed by obsession or manipulating others for personal gain. A plot twist emerges that enhances rather than detracts from the story’s overall tone. Director Vorhaus positions the film somewhere between a noir thriller and a ghost story, adding touches of romance while playfully exposing the tricks behind spiritualism. There's an evident sense of amusement throughout (particularly in Alexis’ incredulous reactions), which was likely misinterpreted by those earlier preview audiences. With John Alton’s exceptional cinematography—marked by expressive lighting, unusual angles, looming shadows, and close-ups—and a very capable cast (including a memorable Raven), the film proves enjoyable and occasionally insightful despite some stretches of believability in the script. Alton's contribution is undeniable; he is essentially the driving force behind the production. His book Painting with Light (1949) highlights The Spiritualist, demonstrating his artistic experimentation during filming. A tragic note surrounds the project: Carole Landis was originally cast as Christine Faber but died by suicide just before production began at age 29. Fortunately, numerous releases of the film have become available over time; most were poor quality transfers from public domain sources, but a definitive release from Sony Classic (under The Spiritualist) offers a very good print and transports viewers into Mr. X’s strange world. It pairs well with John Farrow's Night of a Thousand Eyes, also released in 1948, both serving as excellent introductions to Edmund Goulding's Nightmare Alley (1947). 7.5/10

Source on TMDB