Straitjacket 2004 though still mentally shaky, convicted axemurderess lucy harbin joan crawford is released from the asylum where she was sent 20 years ago for slaying her unfaithful husband. It was published in 11 volumes between 2000 and 2010. Straitjacket is a 1964 american thriller film starring joan crawford and diane baker in a macabre mother and daughter tale about a series of axemurders. Tagline for strait jacket william castle made his first foray into what playwright sky gilbert has called the gothic horror aged star comeback flick with the 1964 shocker strait jacket. Strait jacket is produced and directed by william castle and written by robert bloch. She was a talented dancer and worked as a showgirl before starting her long career. I saw it again on tcm 102411, and it seems every time i watch it i. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. The film, which was written by robert bloch, featured the tagline just keep saying to yourself. William castle was a man with a plan, and when he didnt have a plan, he at least had a gimmick. The first ten minutes of the film are so deliciously overthetop that you know only william castle could have made this film with his tongue firmly in his cheek. Shop straitjacket dvd 1964 region 1 us import ntsc.
It stars joan crawford, diane baker, leif erickson, howard st. Released by columbia pictures, the film was directed and produced by william castle, and coproduced by dona holloway. His wife lucy harbin joan crawford is out of town on business. A female voice over narrates a flashback where we see young married man frank harbin an uncredited lee majors in his first movie role drinking. Straitjacket 1964 approved 1h 33min drama, horror, thriller 19 january 1964 usa after a twentyyear stay at an asylum for a double murder, a mother returns to her estranged daughter where suspicions arise about her behavior. Straitjacket was filmed in 1963 when society was more conservative social rules and divisions were much more rigid then. Joan crawford goes psycho in this william castle programmer about an ax murderess who, upon returning home after 20 years in an asylum, fears she might be reso. Crawford plays lucy harbon, who in the film s opening moments hacks her husband and his lover to pieces with an ax. Information and translations of straitjacket in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Strait jacket is not the best william castle film and is a bit slow at times, but its still got some nice shocks, a killer ending, and some really strong performancesespecially from its star. Video archive for the film strait jacket, which has a domestic theatrical release in the year of 1964. But the differences are precisely what make strait jacket so enjoyably amusing for its camp value. And youre right that crawford really holds this film together and gives it life. Straitjacket 1964 william castle, joan crawford, diane baker, leif erickson, drama, horror, thriller july 20, 2017 lucy harbin has been in an asylum for 20 years after axing her husband and his mistress during a crime of passion, witnessed by her young daughter, carol.
Strait jacket yes, its possibly the campest horror film ever made. The commentary over the film is specifically made for this bluray release and is more current, making references to such things as the 2017 tv miniseries feud. Lucy harbin took an axe, gave her husband forty whacks, when she saw what she had done, she gave his girlfriend fortyone. Crawford plays lucy harbon, who in the films opening moments hacks her husband and his lover to pieces with an ax. Sony pictures choice collection line of hardtofind library and cult titles has rereleased straitjacket, the 1964 shocker from producerdirector william castle, written at least initially, before crawford got ahold of it by psychos robert bloch. Were your movie poster source for new releases and vintage movie posters. Written for the film carolina blues 1944 1944 and performed by harry babbitt and kay kysers orchestra. Remarkably seesawing castle outingat times hallucinatingly good then laughably ineptwith crawford operating on a whole different plane. Straitjacket 1964 stars joan crawford, diane baker, george kennedy, and lee majors.
Apr 24, 2014 perhaps that oftquoted gloria swanson line has endured because it conveys so much hollywood truth. Straitjacket is a 1964 film about a mother who returns to her estranged daughter where suspicions arise about her behavior. In this chilling bloodtale in psycho style, robert bloch modernizes. As for the bluray disc, it is lacking in several ways.
This is mainly made up of some interesting interviews with film historian david del valle and strait jacket star diane baker actually, baker was a replacement when joan had the original actress playing her daughter fired. It is deceivingly naive but those able to go beyond the story will make their own discoveries. Music is by van alexander and cinematography by arthur e. In 1964, joan crawford starred in bmovie genius william castles classic straitjacket, where she gave a brilliantly bizarre performance. Watch straitjacket movie trailers, exclusive videos, interviews from the cast, movie clips and more at. Included on the disc is an excellent featurette entitled, battleaxe. Strait jacket was filmed in 1963 when society was more conservative social rules and divisions were much more rigid then. Straitjacket is produced and directed by william castle and written by robert bloch. Film legend joan crawford gives a terrific performance in this chiller from pioneer horror movie.
Crawford eats up the scenery and steals nearly every scene shes in, only entering camp territory on. Strait jacket, sutoreito jaketto is a light novel series by ichiro sakaki with illustrations by yo fujishiro, published by fujimi shobo under their fujimi fantasia bunko imprint. I certainly can attest to having my favorites those being. After a 20 year stay at an asylum for a double murder, a.
Scream factory is a dvd, bluray and digital brand created to focus on notable and underrated horror, scifi, thriller films from the past that have massive cult followings. Straitjacket 1964 is a drama, horror movie starring joan crawford and diane baker. With all those pedigrees in place, its no wonder that strait jacket is a classic of grand guignol horror and a thoroughly enjoyable piece of high schlock. As a horror film, as a camp classic, and a great vehicle for joan crawford, as a guilty pleasure, and as a fun saturday afternoon popcorn movie. As in psycho, the final plot twist in straitjacket is guaranteed to come as a surprise, and places the characters previous actions in an entirely different light. Nov 05, 2011 movie trailer to strait jacket 1964 this feature is not available right now.
Here is ms crawford trying out her makeup for the role of suspected axmurderer lucy harbin. This week, we tackle the absolutely bonkers william castle classic, straitjacket. Video archive for the film straitjacket, which has a domestic theatrical release in the year of 1964. Straitjacket 1964 love slayer insane screams the newspaper headline. Jul 19, 2014 strait jacket is a delightfully campy 60s thriller starring the indomitable joan crawford, directed by bmovie legend william castle, and written by robert bloch, whom you may know as the author of psycho. There are currently two videos available for the film, of which two are trailers, as listed below. Straitjacket 1964 welcome back to another edition of horror in black and white.
Straitjacket is a delightfully campy 60s thriller starring the indomitable joan crawford, directed by bmovie legend william castle, and written by robert bloch, whom you may know as the author of psycho. Her character veers wildly from one mindset to the next, alternately coming across as strong, selfsacrificing, vengeful, bitter, trampy, berserk, cloying, dignified, and scary. Straitjacket on dvd 043396069299 from sony pictures home entertainment. Straitjacket 1964 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Staring joan crawford, diane baker, rochelle hudson and john anthony hayes. Twenty years after being sent to a mental institution for having killed her husband and his lover with an axe, lucy harbin is released. Straitjacket definition of straitjacket by merriamwebster. I know im certainly of the opinion that movies got smaller when it comes to joan crawford, the oscarwinning actress with a capitala dubbed with equal parts admiration and castigation the ultimate movie star who saw her decadeslong status as the last of the grande dames of. Straitjacket 1964 tuesdays overlooked film tipping my fedora. In 1964, william castle would employ the biggest gimmick of his moviemaking career joan crawford as an ax murderer in strait jacket. Strait jacket 1964 film noir transgression into the cultural cinematic gutter. Straitjacket is a 1964 american horror thriller film starring joan crawford and diane baker in a macabre mother and daughter. Smith obviously an attempt to cash in on the success of psycho it even borrows some of the plot elements this film.
A female voice over narrates a flashback where we see young married man frank harbin an uncredited lee majors in his first movie role drinking at a roadhouse bar with an old girlfriend. Yes, joan crawford gives a wonderfully ott grande dame guignol performance. A terrifying still of joan crawford and her best friend, an axe, from the 1964 film, straitjacket. Smith obviously an attempt to cash in on the success of psycho it even borrows some of the plot elements this film goes for lurid shock more than hitchcocks masterful suspense. Straitjacket 1964 film locations geek field guides. Movie trailer to straitjacket 1964 this feature is not available right now. Born today most popular celebs most popular celebs celebrity news. The series was adapted into a 3episode original video animation series in 2007. Tagline for straitjacket william castle made his first foray into what playwright sky gilbert has called the gothic horror aged star comeback flick with the 1964 shocker straitjacket. All this has been done in the hopes that somehow, with michaels parents out of the way, she could marry the handsome, wealthy young man.
In 1964 bloch married eleanor alexander and wrote original screenplays for two films produced and directed by william castle, straitjacket 1964 and the night walker also 1964, along with the skull 1965. Buy straitjacket movie posters from movie poster shop. It hadnt started out that way, but when he got the opportunity to cast joan crawford in the female lead, he jumped at the chance to. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Snake pit 1948 a woman under the influence 1974 the haunting 1963 the devils 1971 house on haunted hill 1959 the birds 1963 straitjacket 1964 repulsion 1965 suddenly last summer 1959 caged 1950. But a second commentary wouldve been better with diane baker, the costar of strait jacket and john waters, who had often said this was his favorite film. Strait jacket is a 1964 film about a mother who returns to her estranged daughter where suspicions arise about her behavior. Straitjacket is a 1964 american horrorthriller film starring joan crawford and diane baker in a macabre mother and daughter tale about a series of axemurders. Strait jacket 1964 is a drama, horror movie starring joan crawford and diane baker. Film legend joan crawford gives a terrific performance in this chiller from pioneer horror movie producer william castle. Straitjacket definition is a cover or overgarment of strong material such as canvas used to bind the body and especially the arms closely in restraining a violent prisoner or patient.
The screenplay was the first of two written for castle by robert bloch, the second being the night walker 1964. Apr 30, 2014 sony pictures choice collection line of hardtofind library and cult titles has rereleased strait jacket, the 1964 shocker from producerdirector william castle, written at least initially, before crawford got ahold of it by psychos robert bloch, and starring joan crawford, diane baker, leif erickson, howard st. Strait jacket is a 1964 american horror thriller film starring joan crawford and diane baker in a macabre mother and daughter. Strait jacket is a 1964 american horrorthriller film starring joan crawford and diane baker in a macabre mother and daughter tale about a series of axemurders. Smiths rating of the film strait jacket christopher r. Where mildred pierce was a bigbudget production made when joans beauty remained intact, strait jacket was made for peanuts at a time when joan looked every one of her approximately sixty years. Though she was widely vilified by the gossip columnists of her time and is best recalled today for being a very bad mommie, it is impossible to dispute the fact that joan crawford was one hell of an actress.
Where mildred pierce was a bigbudget production made when joans beauty remained intact, straitjacket was made for peanuts at a time when joan looked every one of her approximately sixty years. Another 1964 castle film with a fading star, night walker with barbara stanwyck, is. Given later revelations about crawfords mothering skills, her portrayal of a former psycho who is prepared to sacrifice for her daughter gives this film an added layer of camp. Joan crawford followed up her role in whatever happened to baby jane. Rosemarys baby 1968 womens prison 1955 hush hush sweet charlotte 1964 airport 1970 the snake pit 1948 a woman under the influence 1974 the haunting 1963 the devils 1971 house on haunted hill 1959 the birds 1963 straitjacket 1964 repulsion 1965 suddenly last summer 1959 caged 1950.
The daltons, playing in the series, is one of eight movies he completed. Straitjacket 1964 william castle, joan crawford, diane. Straitjacket is a 1964 american horrorthriller film starring joan crawford and diane baker in a. With all those pedigrees in place, its no wonder that straitjacket is a classic of grand guignol horror and a thoroughly enjoyable piece of high schlock. The daltons, playing in the series, is one of eight movies he completed in 1954. In 1964, william castle would employ the biggest gimmick of his moviemaking career joan crawford as an ax murderer in straitjacket. I saw it again on tcm 102411, and it seems every time i watch it i enjoy it more and more. Persuaded by daughter carol diane baker that shes ready to meet her potential inlaws, recovering axemurderess lucy joan crawford travels with brother bill leif erickson and his wife emily rochelle hudson, in william castles straitjacket, 1964. There are currently two videos available for the film, of. Feature trailer for straitjacket joan crawford followed up her role in whatever happened to baby jane.
Basically the movie is about a woman who spent 20 years in an. In hindsight, this really foreshadows the image of crawford as a rampaging dragon lady that would become prevalent postmommie dearest. The film itself is excellent too, the photography, some of the sound design especially the scene where the chicken is beheaded and george kennedy is a wonderfully nasty piece of work. Crawford plays lucy harbin, a woman who goes berserk when she finds her. Straitjacket 1964 film locations lucy harbin took an ax, gave her husband 40 whacks. Jul 30, 2018 film legend joan crawford gives a terrific performance in this chiller from pioneer horror movie producer william castle. When she saw what she had done, gave his girlfriend 41, im a pushover for cute little nursery rhymes, particularly ones based off of lizzie borden. Blochs story is efficient and very tight, and while the mystery certainly isnt complex, straitjacket walks a surreal fine line between high campvalue, and crawfords genuinely sympathetic performance as an emotionally traumatized woman who cant quite deal with the outside world. She returns to her brother bill cutlers farm where she is reunited with her now adult daughter carol. Joan crawfords bizarre screentests for straitjacket, 1964.
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