Séance on a Wet Afternoon (Mark McShane Mystery Drama)

Séance on a Wet Afternoon is a 1964 British crime thriller directed by Bryan Forbes, based on the 1961 novel by Mark McShane. The film stars Kim Stanley as Myra Savage, a mentally unstable medium, and Richard Attenborough as her submissive husband, Billy. Set in London, Myra convinces Billy to kidnap a child, Amanda Clayton, aiming to use the crime to boost her clairvoyant reputation by helping the police solve it. Their scheme involves holding Amanda captive while pretending to assist in her recovery using Myra's psychic abilities, with plans to return the child unharmed after claiming a ransom. However, Myra's deteriorating mental state leads to a tragic twist where she orders Billy to kill Amanda, as she believes her deceased son wants the girl to join him. The plot unravels when the police involve Myra in a séance to find Amanda, leading her to inadvertently expose their crimes. The film explores themes of delusion, control, and the supernatural, with a stark portrayal of Myra's manipulative hold over Billy, framed by Forbes' suspenseful direction and haunting settings around London.