William Conrad

Reckless ingenue Julie (Joey Heatherton) is dating solid dependable lawyer Harry (Nicholas Coaster). While driving at speed Julie is involved in an accident knocking blond hunk Ben (Troy Donahue) off his motorcycle. Ben quickly becomes infatuated with Julie, claiming that they are both reincarnations of doomed lovers from a century ago. As family secrets are uncovered it looks as if Ben's story may have some credence, but stoic Harry is far from convinced. This obscure little potboiler show more starts out promisingly as a nicely contrived ghostly gothic romance. The mystery is built nicely, but unfortunately it soon veers into standard psycho-on-the-loose territory. The first half has many plus points including some great set design, some crisp black-and-white photography and some beautifully evocative location photography. Director William Conrad handles this first half nicely but seems to loose control when the reincarnation story ends and the film degenerates into a standard chase thriller. Troy Donahue and Joey Heatherton are also initially promising; their limited acting range working to advantage in the early part of the film but their obvious limitations becoming glaringly obvious in the second half. Luckily Jeanette Nolan as Aunt Sarah is on hand to add some gravitas to the film. "My Blood Runs Cold" really is a film of two halves - one good, one bad. If Conrad had followed through on the themes, promise and style of the first half this could have been something special, instead it rather aimlessly dissolves into a rather bland psychological thriller. show less