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Strange Illusion is a 1945 film noir directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starring Jimmy Lydon, Sally Eilers, and Warren William. The film follows a young man named Paul Cartwright who begins to experience strange dreams after the death of his father in a fire. Paul becomes convinced that his father's death was not an accident and begins to investigate, leading him down a dangerous path of intrigue and deception.

The film begins with Paul Cartwright, a college student, receiving a letter from his mother informing him of his father's death in a fire. Paul is devastated by the news, and he begins to have strange dreams in which his father speaks to him and warns him that he must be careful. Paul becomes convinced that his father's death was not an accident and that someone is trying to cover up the truth.

Paul soon discovers that his father was involved in a mysterious company called N.R.A. and that his father's death may be connected to the company's shady dealings. Paul begins to investigate further, but he is met with resistance from those around him. His mother, stepfather, and sister all warn him to stop his investigation, but Paul is determined to uncover the truth.

As Paul delves deeper into the mystery, he becomes increasingly paranoid and begins to suspect everyone around him. He even begins to suspect his own girlfriend of being involved in the conspiracy. Paul's obsession with the case ultimately leads him to the home of a wealthy businessman named Charles Levison, who may hold the key to the mystery.

Throughout Strange Illusion, Paul is plagued by his dreams and visions. These sequences are expertly shot and edited, creating a disorienting and surreal atmosphere that perfectly captures Paul's state of mind. The dream sequences are some of the film's most impressive moments, from the opening scene in which Paul's father appears to him in a burning building to a later sequence in which Paul finds himself trapped in a maze-like mirror room.

The film is well-acted, with Jimmy Lydon giving a strong performance as Paul Cartwright. Lydon was only 23 years old at the time of filming, but he manages to convey the character's increasing paranoia and obsession with great skill. Sally Eilers is also impressive as Paul's mother, a woman torn between her love for her son and her fear of the truth.

Warren William is excellent as Charles Levison, the wealthy businessman who may hold the key to the mystery. William brings a sense of mystery and danger to the role, making Levison a truly memorable character.

One of the most interesting aspects of Strange Illusion is the way it blends elements of film noir with those of the horror genre. The dream sequences and Paul's increasing paranoia create a sense of dread that is more commonly associated with horror films, while the mystery and intrigue are pure noir.

Overall, Strange Illusion is a well-crafted and engaging film that is sure to please fans of both film noir and horror. The dream sequences are particularly impressive, and the film's blend of genres makes it a unique entry in the noir canon.

Strange Illusion is a 1945 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.