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One For Your Watchlist: Bunny Lake Is Missing

June 5, 2025

 

Dropping your four-year-old daughter off at a new daycare only to have the staff later claim they've never seen her is right on up there in terms of a parent's worst nightmare. It only gets worse when single mom Ann (Carol Lynley) can't seem to come up with much proof that the girl actually exists.

Carol Lynley and Noël Coward

From 1965, Bunny Lake Is Missing has some of that undeniable Hitchcock feel, provided this time by director Otto Preminger, and adapted by John and Penelope Mortimer from a novel by Evelyn Piper. The premise is straightforward, but the presence of Ann's brother (Keir Dullea), Superintendent Newhouse (Laurence Olivier) looking into the matter, and Noël Coward as a lecherous landlord keep things off-kilter. Ann's increasing desperation in the face of all the well-meaning, often skeptical looks gives the film a compelling energy.

Ann looking at dolls

In my opinion, the musical score by Paul Glass isn't all that great. The cast, direction, and opening titles by Saul Bass more than make up for it, and there are some interesting themes (even if they're not fully explored) present. Your mileage may vary on the ending, but the mystery/madness vibes are strong. Black and white photography only adds to the eeriness of Ann's nightmare. Check out this vintage gem...and be thankful if you've got reliable (and affordable) childcare!

Ann and Steven
Man in hazard suit avatar

Ben

Ben is a Collection Development Librarian at Main Library. His favorite type of fiction is 'weird', and frequently 'vintage'. He also enjoys comics, picture books from yesteryear, and anything concerning illustration and graphic design. He can often be found helping readers learn Overdrive and Hoopla.

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