USA, UK, December 1962-January 1963
82m
35mm, Hammerscope, black and white, 2.35:1
mono, English
An American/British psychological horror film directed by Freddie Francis.
Plot Summary
Schoolgirl Janet is so traumatised by witnessing her mother murdering her father that she starts to have visions that she will end up a killer herself and will end up in a psychiatric institution. Driven to distraction by a series of strange happenings, Janet stabs to death Helen Baxter, the wife of her guardian, Henry. With the help of a sympathetic teacher, Janet starts to uncover a cruel conspiracy against her…
Credits
* = uncredited (all uncredited crew roles are taken from a listing published in Film and TV Technician vol.29 no.227 (December 1963))
Crew
Directed by: Freddie Francis
© MCMLXIII [1963] Universal Pictures Company Incorporated
Universal International [opening logo] A Hammer Film production
Produced by: Jimmy Sangster
Production Manager: Don Weeks
Written by: Jimmy Sangster
Assistant Director: Douglas Hermes
2nd Assistant Director: Hugh Harlow *
3rd Assistant Director: Raymond Corbett *
Continuity: Pauline Wise
Director of Photography: John Wilcox
Camera Operator: Ronnie Maasz
1st Assistant Camera (Focus): Geoffrey Glover *
1st Assistant Camera: Ronnie Fox-Rogers *
Other Camera Assistant (Clapper/Loader): Brian Ellis *
Still Cameraman: Tom Edwards *
Supervising Editor: James Needs
1st Assistant Editor: Chris Barnes *
Other Assistant: Alan Willis *
Laboratory: Denham *
Music Composed by: Don Banks
Musical Supervisor: John Hollingsworth
Sound Recordist: Ken Rawkins
Sound Camera Operator: Al Thorne *
Boom Operator: Jimmy Perry *
Boom Assistant: Roy Mingaye *
Sound Editor: James Groom
Dubbing Crew: Anvil Films Ltd *
RCA Sound Recording
Wardrobe Mistress: Rosemary Burrows
Make-up Artist: Roy Ashton
Hair Stylist: Frieda Steiger
Special Effects: Bowie Films Ltd. *
Production Designer: Bernard Robinson
Art Director: Don Mingaye
Assistant Art Director: Kenneth Ryan *
Scenic Artist: Bert Evans *
Production Secretary: Maureen White *
Publicity Director: Dennison Thornton *
Produced at Bray Studios, England
Cast
David Knight (Henry Baxter)
Moira Redmond (Grace Maddox)
Jennie Linden (Janet)
Brenda Bruce (Mary Lewis)
George A. Cooper (John)
Clytie Jessop (Helen Baxter)
Irene Richmond (Mrs Gibbs)
John Welsh (doctor)
Timothy Bateson (hotel barman)
Elizabeth Dear (Janet as a child)
Isla Cameron [mother – uncredited]
Julie Samuel [maid – uncredited]
Hedger Wallace [Sir Dudley – uncredited]
Alternative Titles
El abismo del miedo – Spain
Here’s the Knife Dear – Now Use It – early title
Der Satan mit den langen Wimpern – Germany
La spirale del terrore – Italy
References
Periodicals
- The Daily Cinema no.8901 (17 April 1964) p.10 – review
- Film and TV Technician vol.29 no.227 (December 1963) – credits
- The Hollywood Reporter vol.180 no.13 (28 April 1964) p.3 – review
- The House That Hammer Built no.4 (August 1997) pp.197-199 – illustrated credits, synopsis, review
- Kine Weekly no.2951 (23 April 1964) p.13 – review
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.31 no.365 (June 1964) p.90 – credits, synopsis, review
- Motion Picture Herald vol.231 no.10 (13 May 1964) p.51 – review
Books
- British National Film Catalogue vol.2 (1964) – credits, synopsis
- The Charm of Evil: The Life and Films of Terence Fisher by Wheeler Winston Dixon p.301
- English Gothic by Jonathan Rigby pp.89, 138 – notes, review
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.336 – credits
- The Straight Story from Moby Dick to Glory by Freddie Francis with Tony Dalton pp.121-124; 268-269 – notes; credits
- Terence Fisher: Horror, Myth and Religion by Paul Leggett p.187
