Nightmare (1956)

Set in New Orleans, a jazz clarinetist (Kevin McCarthy) has a nightmare in which he sees himself killing a man in a mirrored room. He awakens to find blood on himself, bruises on his neck and a key from the dream in his hand. Based on the novel AND SO TO DEATH by Cornell Woolrich (previously filmed in 1947 as FEAR IN THE NIGHT) and directed by Maxwell Shane, who had directed the previous 1947 film version. A rather far fetched film noir crime film that is eminently watchable but the hysterical absurdities of its plot eventually renders it on the minus side. The movie captures a little bit of the flavor of the New Orleans jazz scene with composer/arranger Billy May's band playing themselves and the singer Connie Russell (who plays McCarthy's girlfriend) singing a couple of jazz songs. One would be advised to avoid looking at the film's original poster as it blatantly gives away the movie's "twist". With Edward G. Robinson, Virginia Christine, Marian Carr and Rhys Williams.