Paranoiac (1963)

Director: Freddie Francis

Starring: Janette Scott, Oliver Reed, Sheila Burrell, Maurice Denham, Alexander Davion

More info: IMDb

Tagline: When it comes to love or murder ... there's no one as dangerous ... as the ... Paranoiac!

Plot: In three weeks the two surviving members of the Ashby family will receive their inheritance. Eleanor Ashby, a weak, nervous character since the horrific accident, adamantly swears she has seen her dead brother Tony. Her brother, Simon reinforces her own doubts about her sanity, knowing that if she were committed he would receive all of the legacy. But brother Tony does appear and Simon is determined to get rid of both.

My rating: 7.5/10

Will I watch it again? Oh, yeah.

#21 on Hammer Horror (1957-1976)

Hammer is know for it's Gothic horror output of the late 50s through the mid-70s but it's often overlooked as a studio that churned out some very good psychological thrillers. I've enjoyed nearly all of them and this one (on my second viewing) is outstanding. It never lets your attention wane, Oliver Reed is brooding and captivating, the actors around them do a fine job keeping from being punched by a drunken Reed, the music is tense (Elisabeth Lutyens), the story is tight, the direction, camerawork, plot twists and climax make this one a real beaut!


Since I started this blog in October, 2007, I've seen a good amount of Oliver Reed movies and I'd swear every single one has at least one scene where he's drinking alcohol...just sayin'.


Don't read the plot on IMDb 'cause whoever wrote it wants you to know every major twist and turn. You need to go into this one cold. It's only 80 minutes long but it's the perfect length. Rent it for when you're looking for that night when you've got a fix for a good, old B&W thriller that'll leave you satisfied.