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Amazon.com: Cross Alfred Hitchcock with a carnival showman and you might come up with William Castle, the low-budget horror king of the exploitation gimmick. Homicidal is arguably his best film, a devious little Psycho knockoff with all the right ingredients: a sleepy Southern California town, a beautiful blonde with icy eyes and a thing for knives, a mute old woman in a wheelchair, and a deep, dark secret involving a repressed, awkward young man still haunted by the abuses of his dead father. Ever the cinematic carny, Castle pulls a trademark gimmick just before the climax: the clock-countdown "Fright Break," for anyone "too frightened to see the end of the picture." What the film lacks in tension it makes up for in startles and shocks. Castle is no Hitchcock, but he adds an insidious twist that pays off even if you see it coming. The DVD also features the seven-minute documentary "Psychette: William Castle and Homicidal" and the not-to-be missed original trailer. --Sean Axmaker Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-04-30
William Castle's crowning achievement, IMO
I first saw this on American Movie Classics many years ago when I taped it & thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't pay creedence to the negative reviews saying it's a rip-off of Psycho, it is a deeply engrossing suspense movie that centers on a nurse who kills the groom as they exchange vows & later becomes nursemaid to an elderly invalid woman who sooon catches on to the evil nurse's diobolical agenda.
If you enjoy vintage horror films, do yourself a favor & see this movie. You'll be glad you did. The fright break was exciting as well. A definitive cult classic & treat for any fan of films of this one's genre. Rating: 
Date: 2008-04-11
You must get this movie
I saw this movie on TCM and I LOVED it! I do not want to give it away, but this movie will keep you in suspense. The "homicidal" character is AMAZING. YOU MUST SEE THIS MOVIE. You will love it as well. As soon as I knew that AMAZON sold it, I bought it right away. A very good addition to anyone's DVD library. If you loved Psycho, you will love this movie. Rating:
Date: 2008-03-24
You'll Need That Fright Break!!
Jean Arliss is a gal with some major psychological baggage(like a lot of the chicks I've dated). She has a habit of stabbing people to death, vandalizing flower shops, being a straight up b*$!h, and other assorted mischief. She's been brought to America by her husband, Warren and is taking care of an invalid mute woman at their home. Warren's half sister is thrown into the mix as well, and pretty soon what we got here is a mystery involving murder, family and inheritance. William Castle decided to take a break from ghosties and monsters and take a....ahem....stab at Alfred Hitchcock/Robert Bloch kind of material. I must say he does a very good job, better than you think he would with this kind of material. Even his little campy introduction and the famous "fright break" doesn't hurt any of the mystery or suspense of the film, but simply reminds you you're watching a William Castle film. It's extremely derivative of "Psycho", but nobody seems to complain about this because it's so blatantly obvious that that's what Castle is doing, and he makes no attempts to hide it, but rather winks at the audience about it. It's not a spoof though, nor is it really campy(only the intro and the "fright break"), it's actually a good movie. Some people actually like it more than Psycho(as shown in the featurette). I don't know if I'd go that far, but it is a damn good movie. Rating:
Date: 2008-02-11
I've Got To Hand It To Him...
Like many others, I grew up watching William Castle classics like THE TINGLER, HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, 13 GHOSTS, etc. Now, while these delectible cheezelogs were certainly entertaining, they could hardly be classified as serious (or even scary). HOMICIDAL only recently crossed my radar screen. I was expecting yet another schlock-o-thon. Well, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this one! Yes, Castle may have been trying to capitalize on the success of PSYCHO (and who can blame him??), but how many modern horror / thrillers don't owe something to Hitchcock? Anyway, HOMICIDAL has Jean Arliss (Joan Marshall), as the beautiful, dangerously twisted Emily. For it's day, HOMICIDAL packs a decent punch with its bloody, (seemingly) senseless murder at the beginning and a satisfying little twister at the end. Highly recommended... Rating:
Date: 2008-01-01
Obsessive ?.......Maybe a little.......
While familiar with a lot of William Castle's Films{Strait Jacket & House on Haunted Hill being particular favorites}I had never seen this one.A couple months ago it played on TCM & I watched it.I'm glad I recorded it since it was presented in the widescreen format {unlike the DVD which is fullscreen and a bit pricy for a fullscreen disc.}
Incidentally, I did buy the fullscreen disc as well after being blown away by Jean Arliss' {Joan Marshall} performance.Made a year after Hitchcock's Psycho,Castle is obviously heavily influenced by it.
I don't want to give anything away but as the Film progresses it's clear that some characters are,shall We say, askew.
This stunning Blonde {She must be...All the Men turn their heads as She walks down the street} checks into a Hotel & makes the Bellboy an offer He can't refuse.From that moment,YOU'RE HOOKED.As You come to learn,others call the Blonde by a different name as the Film progresses.And another Character appears with the same name You thought was the Blondes.{Pay attention....There'll be a quiz....}
William Castle created the actress,Jean Arliss.She had been Acting before Homocidal {and after} as Joan Marshall.She did a lot of late 50's & 60's TV shows.She was the original Lily Munster in the pilot for The Munsters before the produces got Yvonne DeCarlo to join the cast.And...Who can blame them for going with Ms. DeCarlo.....
Marshall's delivery of Her dialogue showed Me She was having a lot of fun with the role {and being someone else,Arliss...]She delivers 2 exceptional lines of dialogue while speaking to Helga who is mute as well as confined to a wheelchair. {Believe Me....You'll know these 2 lines when You hear them !}
I've watched the Film 11 times since I discovered it and never tire of it.Always the Showman,Castle's "gimmick" for this Movie is "The Fright Break". Before the final wrap-up, Castle gives the audience a chance to leave if they're to scared to continue.
Since seeing this....Joan Marshall is now My wallpaper on My cell phone.As well as a different picture of Her as My screensaver...Obsessive ? .........Maybe a little.I bought 3 Friends the Homicidal DVD for Christmas.....Now they understand My rantings.
Discover it if You haven't already.It's a lot of Fun !!!! |
