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Homicidal (1961)

Unrated  |   |  Horror, Mystery, Thriller  |  June 1961 (USA)
6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 1,761 users  
Reviews: 78 user | 42 critic

The brutal stabbing murder of a justice-of-the-peace sparks an investigation of dark family secrets in a sleepy small town in Southern California.

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Title: Homicidal (1961)

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
Karl Anderson
Patricia Breslin ...
Miriam Webster
Eugenie Leontovich ...
Helga Swenson
Alan Bunce ...
Doctor Jonas
Richard Rust ...
Jim Nesbitt
James Westerfield ...
Mr. Adrims
Gilbert Green ...
Lt. Miller
Joan Marshall ...
Emily (as Jean Arless)
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Storyline

The story centers around a murderous scheme to collect a rich inheritance. The object of murder is Miriam Webster, who is to share in the inheritance with her half brother Warren, who lives with his childhood guardian Helga in the mansion where Warren and Mariam grew up. Confined to a wheelchair after recently suffering a stroke, Helga is cared for by her nurse Emily, a strange young woman who has formed a close bond with Warren. Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

SPECIAL "FRIGHT BREAK" * There will be a special FRIGHT BREAK during the showing of "Homicidal." Can you heart stand the challenge when the clock starts the COUNTDOWN! See more »


Certificate:

Unrated | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

June 1961 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Den mystiske knivstikker  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The premiere was held at the Palace Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio with producer William Castle in attendance. See more »

Goofs

The position of the knocker in Helga's hand changes between shots numerous times whenever she's using it. See more »

Quotes

Emily: If you do not leave this house in the next minute, I will kill you!
See more »

Crazy Credits

At the end of the film Joan Marshall's characters Emily/Warren come out to face the audience, via split screen, and take a bow! See more »

Connections

References House on Haunted Hill (1959) See more »

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User Reviews

 
William Castle thriller; "Psycho" on a low-budget...
14 May 2006 | by (las vegas, nv) – See all my reviews

William Castle-directed shocker involves a murderous nurse and her 'husband' complicating an inheritance matter. Jean Arless has the flashy leading role, but in the end it's just a gimmick and she's not quite up to the stunt (to her credit, nobody in the cast comes out looking particularly good, as Castle's direction and Robb White's script are equally unsure). The film was photographed by the highly-adept Burnett Guffey, but only the outdoor scenes have a competent appearance; the interiors are over-lit, with heavy shadows, mundane art direction and design (with a staircase only Norman Bates might be happy to own). The film is full of amusingly square attempts at hysteria, but this script is over-complicated and the pacing dawdles. The plot doesn't bear close scrutiny--with a tag at the finish that seems like an apology. Still, you gotta love that "fright break"! ** from ****


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
Jean Arless did her own voice for Warren!!! pearlbeach
Entertaining but improbable brand78
Way ahead of its time! pearlbeach
The 'Homicidal' ad campaign jeanarless
Jean Arless in *Shampoo* ?? moondog-8
Why is the DVD not widescreen Allardyce99
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