Rent The Devil's Hand (1943)

Second-Hand Hell - The Devil's Hand review by griggs

A cursed hand, a dodgy bargain and a story best told around a campfire. Frankly, I'd have asked for a receipt.

It opens in a snowbound mountain inn, where a twitchy stranger with a mysterious box explains how he bought a severed hand for loose change when he was a struggling painter. It's a lovely, peculiar premise, and the small print of the deal is wonderfully grim.

Maurice Tourneur handles it all competently, with some nice shadows creeping up the walls. Pierre Fresnay does what's asked, though I never felt much attached to him. The gathering of the hand's masked former owners is the oddest bit and easily the most fun, like an Antiques Roadshow run from hell.

The trouble is, Carnival of Sinners never quite makes enough of its splendidly daft idea. It's entertaining enough while you're watching, but the chills soon evaporate.

I've heard worse stories around a campfire. Better ones, too.