William Castle Brings Joan Crawford Back to Horror
In the early 1960s, William Castle was known for his theatrical gimmicks and B-movie horror films. After the success of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Castle saw an opportunity to work with Hollywood legend Joan Crawford. He enlisted acclaimed writer Robert Bloch, fresh off his success with Psycho, to craft a psychological thriller that would showcase Crawford’s talents while delivering the shock value his audiences craved. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the ‘Spoiled. Rotten? Twist Endings’ series with a conversation about Strait-Jacket.
Axe Murders and Plot Twists: Examining Psychological Horror
The film follows Lucy Harbin (Crawford), who returns home after spending 20 years in an asylum for brutally murdering her husband and his lover. While the movie sets up an interesting exploration of psychological trauma and mother-daughter relationships, Pete and Andy discuss how the third act reveals impact what could have been a compelling dramatic story. They debate whether the film’s ending undermines the careful character development established throughout the narrative.
Beyond the Blade: Production Elements and Performances
The discussion delves into several fascinating aspects of the film’s production and impact:
- Crawford’s commanding performance and range
- William Castle’s marketing tactics, including distributing cardboard axes to moviegoers
- The film’s interesting use of shadows and darkness in murder scenes
- Product placement history with Pepsi due to Crawford’s connection to the company
- George Kennedy’s memorable performance in his small role
- The evolution of the “hagsploitation” subgenre
Strait-Jacket delivers as both a psychological thriller and a showcase for Crawford’s talents, though some narrative choices may divide audiences. The film offers interesting commentary on societal treatment of women and mental illness, even if it doesn’t fully capitalize on these themes. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
Film Sundries
- Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatch
- Script Options
- Theatrical trailer
- Letterboxd
