Michael_Elliott Night Tide (1961) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Johnny (Dennis Hopper) is a sailor on leave who is walking around without too much care in the world. The loneliness is certainly creeping in when he meets a young woman named Mora (Linda Lawson). The two quickly strike up a relationship but Johnny feels there's something not quite right and even after being warned that she might have killed a couple men he still can't leave her.Curtin Harrington's NIGHT TIDE is without question one of the most experimental horror films ever made.When you take a look at the type of films that were being released around this time you've got Dracula and Frankenstein and monsters from outer space. You've also got the Corman-Price-Poe pictures and even the shockers steaming from PSYCHO were gaining popularity. No one cared for this film when it was released and it's easy to see why but at the same time this tale of a mermaid eventually found a cult audience.If you're looking for something different then you'll certainly find it here because there really aren't too many movies like this one. The entire point of the film is the fact that this sailor falls in love with a woman he can't quite understand. Is she a mermaid? Is it just in his mind? Director Harrington really leaves it up to the viewer to draw their own conclusions as to what's going on and the film keeps you guessing all the way to the end. The film has a European feel to it and there's no question that the director was going for mood more than anything.The very young looking Hopper offers up a nice performance here and he's certainly believable in the role of this rather confused young man who isn't quite sure what's going on. Lawson is also extremely good in her role as is Gavin Muir and Luana Anders. One wishes that the film had a bit more flair or at least a little more energy because it's slow pace can drag a bit at times. Still, Harrington's NIGHT TIDE is an original and unique movie that is worth watching.

Rainey Dawn Yes the film is (as one reviewer called it) a moody piece... artfully directed and beautifully written and acted out by the cast. It is what I would call a 'quiet' thriller. By 'quiet' I mean there is not shooting, chasing, nor are there bloody scenes - just an effectively well written, well acted, well directed and well filmed movie.Johnny Drake (Dennis Hopper) is a young sailor who meets the beautiful Mora (Linda Lawson). He falls in love with her but soon worries that she might be a real life mermaid - and not just her job as a sideshow mermaid - but a real mermaid.The movie has it's share of thrilling moments - intense moments. This film is worth watching if you enjoy thrillers, mysteries, odd-films, artfully styled films and even mermaids.8.5/10

MartinHafer Aside from seeing an early starring role for Dennis Hopper, there isn't a whole lot to recommend this low budget film. The basic story idea of a dangerous woman who destroys men isn't bad, but the execution of the story is the problem. Again and again, the story is badly paced. In some cases, irrelevant scenes go on too long and deaden the pace. A good example is the dancing scene...you see it all. As a result, my attention wavered. Additionally, the cinematography is dark and fuzzy and the film just looks bad. And, while we know Hopper could act, here he just seemed lost--editing his performance to tighten things would have helped a lot.Only for the die-hard Hop-heads and the curious. otherwise, there are better low-budget public domain films out there.

Scarecrow-88 Sailor visits Venice Beach pier Amusement park, falling in love with a mysterious young woman who portrays a mermaid in an alcoholic captain's show. When two men are found dead, she becomes a suspect and it could mean danger towards the sailor if he continues to carry on relations with her.Early method performance from Dennis Hopper, as the droopy-eyed, rather melancholy, lonely sailor who seeks love, only to find it in a doomed romance with a girl who yearns for his, but seems to be harboring a secret which threatens any chance for a meaningful relationship. While it does feature atmospheric direction from Curtis Harrington, Night Tide wasn't the chiller I was expecting, but more of a sombre tale of two young people finding each other, not allowed to be together as they so desire due to circumstances which may or may not be supernatural.The key to what ails them could lie in Captain Samuel Murdock(Gavin Muir), a former journeyman who found Mora(the lovely Linda Lawson, in a haunting performance)as a girl left to starve in Greece. Mora believes she might actually be a mermaid, for she "hears the calls from the sea people." Johnny Drake(Hopper)attempts to persuade her away from such nonsense, he believes is a delusion planted in her mind. Luana Anders, who is simply adorable, is the daughter of a barker so obviously in love with Johnny that it's evident all over her face and demeanor when he's near.I think Night Tide will definitely be of interest for those who can only see Hopper as an actor who portrays foul, ugly, repellent characters, Johnny quite a polar opposite of those type of roles. Very quiet and subdued, Johnny is the kind of character that is quite approachable and pleasant. It's an interesting character in his resume, but one I'm sure will surprise those who are accustomed to his Frank Booths and other loud, abrasive monsters. Marjorie Eaton has a memorable part as a clairvoyant whose tarot reading for Johnny heightens the final chapter of the movie. The movie's mood and temperament parallels Johnny, the central character. Nice little sleeper, with many effective night scenes, and a rather seductive setting. Ultimately, the result of Mora's dilemma truly is tragic because it doesn't have to end the way it does, but due to an obsessive kind of love, leading to deception and murder, the conclusion is fated to happen as it unfolds.