Strait-Jacket

Director: William Castle William Castle

Overview

In this chilling blood-tale in "Psycho" style, Robert Bloch modernizes the Lizzy Borden story. A wife (Joan Crawford) literally axes her cheating husband and his lover, witnessed by her three-year-old daughter. Mom is packed off to the insane asylum for 20 years before reuniting with the daughter (Diane Baker). From this point, the axe murders continue along a contrived plot intended to lead the audience astray until the mystery is solved. Crawford's strong performance and the excellently constructed suspense are the best elements of the film -- and the chopping saves the show when the plot tends to slow.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/04/2014
UPC:	0043396437418
Original Release:	1964
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:29:00
Sales rank:	36,207

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Joan Crawford	Lucy Harbin
Diane Baker	Carol Harbin
Leif Erickson	Bill Cutler
George Kennedy	Leo Krause
Howard St. John	Raymond Fields
John Anthony Hayes	Michael Fields
Rochelle Hudson	Emily Cutler
Edith Atwater	Mrs. Fields
Mitchell Cox	Dr. Anderson,Dr. Anderson
Lee Yeary	Frank Hardin
Patricia Krest	Stella Fulton
Vickie Cos	Carol at age 3
Patty Lee	1st Little Girl
Laura Hess	2nd Little Girl
Robert Ward	Shoe Clerk
Lyn Lundgren	Beauty Operator
Howard Hoffman	Actor
Lee Majors	Actor
Van Alexander	Composer

Technical Credits

Robert Bloch

Richard Albain	Special Effects
William Castle	Director,Producer
Charles J. Rice	Sound Effects
Robert Bloch	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This vintage William Castle shocker draws inspiration from Psycho, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, and old Joan Crawford melodramas like Mildred Pierce in equal measure. The result is too derivative to be considered a classic, but its blend of campy thrills and surreal shocks make it a lot of fun. The script, penned by Psycho author Robert Bloch, hinges upon a "surprise" ending that modern viewers won't find too difficult to guess, but his story line offers enough plot contortions and juicy dialogue to keep things entertaining. The key attraction of Strait-Jacket is Joan Crawford, who tears into her role with all the vigor her camp devotees would expect. Crawford doesn't just chew the scenery, she outright devours it. Highlights include a scene where a delusional Crawford flirts outrageously with her daughter's fiancé, Michael, and the tantrum she throws when confronted with her asylum-inmate past by Michael's snooty mother. It's Crawford's show all the way, but Diane Baker provides solid support as her much put-upon daughter and George Kennedy manages to steal a few scenes as a slovenly hired hand whose attempt at blackmail goes fatally awry. Strait-Jacket also benefits from vigorous direction by William Castle, who stages the film's murder scenes with gruesome élan and works in some sly moments of humor to keep the melodramatic plot from becoming overripe. In short, Strait-Jacket is likely to disappoint anyone in search of a serious shocker, but will delight anyone who can appreciate chills of the campiest variety.

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