This film is an out-and-out camp classic, and Joanie's finest hour post-"Baby Jane". After she had pulled out of "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte", canny shlockmeister William Castle signed Joan up to play a demented matriarch character in this campy horror-shocker and she did not disappoint.
According to Castle's autobiography, Miss Crawford was actively involved in the production at several levels, herself supervising rewrites of the script, changing the supporting cast to her liking and also choosing the unlikely wig and costumes for her character. And from her first scene, getting off a train (in high heels!), to the final showdown with her bad-girl daughter character, Joan's performance here is pure class.
Watch for the famous cardboard axe in shadow and a hilarious cat fight with her daughter who literally throws herself on the bed and squeals. But don't poke fun: it might be verging on farce, but this is a tight, pacey film with some good direction and camera-work. The overhead shot of Joan losing it in the tiny closet with the NASTY striped wallpaper is worth the price of admission alone.
Recommended.
According to Castle's autobiography, Miss Crawford was actively involved in the production at several levels, herself supervising rewrites of the script, changing the supporting cast to her liking and also choosing the unlikely wig and costumes for her character. And from her first scene, getting off a train (in high heels!), to the final showdown with her bad-girl daughter character, Joan's performance here is pure class.
Watch for the famous cardboard axe in shadow and a hilarious cat fight with her daughter who literally throws herself on the bed and squeals. But don't poke fun: it might be verging on farce, but this is a tight, pacey film with some good direction and camera-work. The overhead shot of Joan losing it in the tiny closet with the NASTY striped wallpaper is worth the price of admission alone.
Recommended.