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Homicidal (1961)
Get ready for a wild ride with this 1961 film classic - 'Homicidal' is a gripping thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a real page-turner, with twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end.
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A Charming but Deadly Blonde: A Haunting Thriller from William Castle
summarizeEditor's Summary
I recently watched Homicidal, a 1961 thriller that's got it all: eerie atmosphere, clever plot twists, and a dash of charm. The film's mysterious storyline had me hooked from the start, and Emily, the enigmatic lead, is a total game changer. With her captivating performance and the film's well-balanced pacing, Homicidal is a must-watch for fans of the thriller genre. But be warned: this one's not for the faint of heart. The cinematography is top-notch, with a blend of dark and moody colors that add to the film's eerie atmosphere. And let's not forget the plot twists - they're expertly woven to keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, Homicidal is a thought-provoking watch that's sure to leave you guessing until the very end.
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I recently watched Homicidal, a 1961 thriller directed by William Castle, and was struck by its eerie atmosphere and clever plot twists.
Homicidal (1961)There are people in the world who are absolutely charming, but they have one major flaw... a tendency to kill!
Homicidal (1961)Directed by: William Castle.
Year of release: 1961.
Country: USA.
Genre: thriller, detective, crime.
Plot:
A mysterious woman named Emily hires a bellhop from the hotel she\'s staying at to marry her for $1,000. Together, they head to a judge to register their marriage. However, during the ceremony, Emily kills the judge with a scalpel and escapes into the night. The police start searching for the strange woman with a tendency to kill, and their investigation leads them to Miriam Webster, the owner of a flower shop.
At the beginning of the film, the director himself sets the tone, establishing the eerie atmosphere that pervades the entire movie.
Homicidal (1961)I watched this movie last year, and then I saw a review for the \'Straight Jacket\' film on this site, which made me realize how similar it is to \'Homicidal\'. \'Homicidal\' is shorter and less drawn out, though. It dives deeper, and the director\'s the same - William Castle - and \'Homicidal\' was released three years earlier.
The movie\'s pretty straightforward and quick, clocking in at just 1 hour and 28 minutes, but it\'s super engaging. By the end, I thought it was just another Hitchcock-esque production (especially one that spawned many films). But the charismatic cast, especially one actress, really stuck with me. In the end, I managed to separate it from Hitchcock and I\'m sharing my discovery with fellow fans of old black-and-white horror thrillers.
Let\'s take a quick look at the cast.
Glen CorbettPatricia BreslinEugenie LeontovichAlan BunsteadRichard RustJames WesterfieldGilbert GreenJoan Marshall (credited as Jean Arless)Wolfang BarsTerry Brooks
Plot.
Let\'s dive in.
From the get-go, the movie\'s shrouded in mystery. There\'s this alluring blonde who\'s doing some pretty inexplicable stuff, and it\'s all happening under a blanket of silence and anticipation.
Homicidal (1961)
What\'s going on with the screen?
Homicidal (1961)
I was watching Emily choose an engagement ring, check into a hotel under the name Miriam Webster, and offer the hotel clerk a bribe to marry her at midnight.
Homicidal (1961) Homicidal (1961)
She\'s a sophisticated, elegant, and charismatic woman. I loved her stylish outfits in every scene - she\'s dressed to perfection and looks great on camera.
Homicidal (1961)But then she commits a murder during the wedding ceremony and disappears into the night. And let me tell you, she does it with a lot of ferocity.
Homicidal (1961)
Later that night, she returns to the mansion, washes the knife under the faucet, and meets a woman named Helga in a wheelchair who doesn\'t say a word. She treats her pretty harshly.
Homicidal (1961) Homicidal (1961) Homicidal (1961)
I was really looking forward to seeing the real Miriam Webster show up at Helga\'s place the next morning.
Homicidal (1961) Homicidal (1961)But Helga just can\'t seem to get a word out to any of her guests - it\'s like she\'s trying to say something, but her lips just aren\'t cooperating.
Homicidal (1961)Now that we\'re getting to know the characters a bit better, we can start to see some interesting dynamics at play. Miriam\'s half-brother Warren funded her flower shop, a small business, and he used to live with Helga, the midwife who delivered him and was her mom\'s best friend. Warren was orphaned early on, and Helga raised him, then they moved to Denmark, where Helga suffered a stroke. Emily was hired as a caregiver, and they\'re back in the States now. Warren works in a different city, but he still visits Helga regularly. Based on Emily\'s behavior and her conversation with Miriam, it seems like she\'s got a thing for Warren and is jealous of Miriam.
Homicidal (1961)
Emily\'s a strange girl, clearly nervous and a bit off, but she\'s always smiling and friendly to everyone.
Homicidal (1961)In her suitcase, she\'s got a knife, and her hands sometimes shake uncontrollably.
Homicidal (1961)She\'s got a blast destroying Miriam\'s flower shop while she\'s visiting Helga.
Homicidal (1961)I\'ve gotta say, the pharmacist is ordering some pretty heavy-duty meds for Helga - strychnine, to be specific. That\'s a pretty popular poison in old movies, if you know what I mean. But don\'t worry, no one\'s getting poisoned here.
And then there\'s Warren.
Homicidal (1961)
It\'s a heartwarming reunion with his sister, and a trip down memory lane to his childhood...
Homicidal (1961) Homicidal (1961)His dad was a tough guy who wanted to whip his son into shape, and Helga was happy to lend a hand - or rather, a strap - to help him toughen up. All the \'fun\' of being raised like this fell squarely on Warren\'s shoulders, as the future man of the house.
Homicidal (1961)There are a few mentions of Warren\'s birthday coming up soon, and how he\'ll inherit a big chunk of change when he turns 21 - as the dutiful son of his father. Miriam, on the other hand, doesn\'t stand to gain much.
Homicidal (1961)
I watched this movie on a night when I was feeling really uneasy, and the atmosphere it created only added to my unease. Miriam spends the night at Helga\'s house... and then suddenly Emily shows up with this crazed look in her eyes, right in Miriam\'s room...
Homicidal (1961)The next day, a police officer shows up, looking for Miriam who attacked a priest. Meanwhile, Emily is sharpening her knife...
Homicidal (1961) Homicidal (1961)
Homicidal (1961)The trailer for this movie includes a 25-second warning, just in case viewers want to leave before the climax. I have to admit, it\'s a pretty effective way to build tension...
Homicidal (1961)
SPECIAL Fright Break - I\'m excited to see a special Fright Break during the showing of Homicidal. Can your heart stand the challenge when the countdown starts?
Tiega Ubit\'vay / Homicidal (1961)
My Impressions
I was impressed by the film\'s unique black-and-white style. While it wasn\'t super scary, the story had an interesting twist. At first, it seemed straightforward, but the film kept me engaged.
Tiega Ubit\'vay / Homicidal (1961)The ending was satisfying, with no loose ends. What I enjoyed most was:
That it wasn\'t drawn out. The story moved quickly and didn\'t get boring.The film had a clear idea behind it, rather than just a crazy aunt wielding a knife. Everything was well-planned, and I loved the logical storyline.The ending! It really impressed me.The film\'s black-and-white aesthetic was done exceptionally well. The cinematography and composition made each frame feel rich and textured. I was particularly impressed by the sense of presence - for example, when Miriam climbs the stairs and sees Helga\'s chair, I felt like I was climbing the stairs with her. Each shot was beautifully crafted.The actress Joan Marshall (credited as Jean Arless) - she delivered a standout performance.
Homicidal (1961)* * * * * * * *
Old-school black-and-white thrillers are my thing, and this one\'s a must-watch. Plus, it\'s Hitchcock – and not just a parody or a rip-off, either. This film\'s got its own unique flavor, from the story to the cast, the direction, and the cinematography. It\'s a real treat.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the plot of Homicidal?
Homicidal follows the story of Emily, a mysterious woman who hires a bellhop to marry her for $1,000, but things take a deadly turn when she kills the judge during the ceremony.
Who directed Homicidal?
Homicidal was directed by the master of suspense, William Castle.
What genre is Homicidal?
Homicidal is a thriller, detective, and crime film that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Is Homicidal a good watch?
If you're a fan of thrillers and suspenseful films, then yes, Homicidal is definitely worth watching.
What's the significance of Emily's character?
Emily is a complex and intriguing character who drives the plot of the film with her charm and deadly actions.
What's the cinematography like in Homicidal?
The cinematography in Homicidal is stunning, with a blend of dark and moody colors that add to the film's eerie atmosphere.
Is Homicidal a classic film?
While Homicidal may not be a classic in the classical sense, it's definitely a cult classic that's worth watching for fans of the thriller genre.
What's the runtime of Homicidal?
The runtime of Homicidal is approximately 81 minutes.
What's the tone of Homicidal?
The tone of Homicidal is dark and suspenseful, with a dash of charm and wit.
check_circlePros
- •The lead actress, Joan Griffe, delivers a captivating performance that's hard to forget.
- •The plot is cleverly woven, with unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.
- •The cinematography is stunning, with a blend of dark and moody colors that add to the film's eerie atmosphere.
- •The pacing is well-balanced, making this a thrilling ride from start to finish.
- •The film's themes of charm and deadly suspense are expertly explored, making this a thought-provoking watch.
- •The supporting cast delivers solid performances that add depth to the story.
- •The film's atmosphere is expertly crafted, with a blend of tension and suspense that keeps you engaged.
- •The plot twists are expertly woven, keeping you guessing until the very end.
cancelCons
- •The film's ending can be a bit predictable, which takes away from the overall impact.
- •Some viewers may find the pacing a bit slow, particularly in the first half.
- •The film's reliance on tropes may feel familiar to fans of the genre.
- •The characters' motivations can be a bit unclear at times, which may leave viewers confused.
- •The film's themes may not be to everyone's taste, particularly those who prefer lighter fare.
- •The film's age shows in some of the special effects, which can be a bit dated.
- •The film's characters can be a bit one-dimensional at times, which may make it hard to connect with them.
- •The film's plot can be a bit convoluted at times, which may leave viewers feeling lost.
