Strange Illusion

College student Paul Cartwright (Jimmy Lydon) has thoughts of continuing the criminology work of his deceased father, Judge Albert Cartwright. Paul begins to have a recurring nightmare about his father's death in a train accident several years ago, which, according to his nightmare, was not an accident. He believes the nightmare may also be a premonition of things to come. When one thing after another from his nightmare comes true, and these are supported by other things that happen in his life, Paul suspects that the sinister-sounding shadow man in his nightmare, the man who killed his father if his nightmare is accurate, is the man who has been courting his mother Virginia Cartwright (Sally Eilers), suave Brett Curtis (Warren William), purportedly a businessman but who Paul believes is really Claude Barrington, a criminal mastermind about whom Judge Cartwright had been writing before he died. One of the issues for Paul is that Barrington is officially listed as dead. Another problem for Paul is that Curtis has worked his charm not only on Virginia, who he is pressuring to marry him, but Paul's younger sister, Dorothy Cartwright (Jayne Hazard), the two to whom he cannot turn with his suspicions. With the help of family friend Dr. Vincent (Edgar G. Ulmer), an academic and physician himself, as his confidante, Paul begins a quest to discover proof that Curtis truly is Barrington, including that he is in cahoots with a Professor Muhlbach (Charles Arnt), who operates the Restview Sanitarium. It could be a dangerous game of cat and mouse not only for him but his loved ones also, especially Dorothy and his girlfriend Lydia (Mary McLeod), if he is correct about Curtis, as Barrington is known for having a weakness for young women, both romancing them and killing them if it suits his purpose. On impulse, Paul suggests to "Doc" he allow Paul to place himself in Dr. Muhlbach's care as a "guest" in the Sanitarium in order to further investigate his suspicions about the two men. He quickly discovers a hidden microphone and a two-way mirror in his bedroom there and begins to discover odd goings on. Brett is seen to drive a car when he lied about knowing how to drive. Paul discovers they lock his door at night. With Doc's help, he then quickly explores a nearby abandoned barn, finding important clues of truck parts. Brett and the Professor are alarmed how inquisitive Paul is and decide to fast-track the marriage/murder plans by locking Paul up and insisting on an immediate elopement. Will they get away with the revenge marriage and murder, or can Paul and Doc stop them in time?