Chilling and creepy recital for Joan Crawford giving one of the best interpretations as a convicted axe murderess for axing her husband and his loving mistress . Once released returning home after 20 years at an insane asylum , where it appears she was restored to sanity. At home Lucy Hardin meets her grown-up good daughter , Diana Baker , and her handsome boyfriend : John Anthony Hayes , about to get married .Then mysterious axe murders begin ocurring in the neighborhood and aging Joan Crawford results to be the prime suspect . Warning , Strait-jacket vividly depicts axe murders ¡.
Moderately eerie B chiller and slasher movie is impressively lifted thanks to Joan Crawford, including interesting and thrilling script by Robert Bloch of "Psycho" with plenty of twists and turns .Genuinely frightening movie features one of Crawford's most awesome acting , as well as restrained performances . Furthermore , a young George Kennedy is almost as good in an early character as a farm hand. While Diane Baker plays the good-natured daughter who cares and controls her allegedly nutty mummy . Other secondaries intervening are as follows : Leif Erickson as Lucy's brother , John Anthony Hayes as the good-looking sweetheart , Rochelle Hudson, Howard St John , and brief appearance by Lee Majors as unfortunate hubby .
The motion picture was competently directed by William Castle, an expert director well known for his surprising Gimmicks that had large reception for the general public , though his films were panned by critics . Never one to miss a gimmick , director Castle managed for the distribution of cardboard "Bloody Axes" to all theatre patrons attending the film . William Castle was a prolific writer, producer and director with considerable success. In his begining he directed thrillers , Noir , Drama and Westerns in low budget , such as : The Law rides again, Conquest of Cochise , Americano and getting his greatest successes shooting efficient Chillers and Terror movies, such as : House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler , 13 Ghosts , Mr Sardonicus , Homicidal, Zotz ¡ , The Night Walker and this Strait-Jacket. Rating : 6.5/10. Better than average Chiller . The picture will appeal to Joan Crawford fans and horror aficionados .
Moderately eerie B chiller and slasher movie is impressively lifted thanks to Joan Crawford, including interesting and thrilling script by Robert Bloch of "Psycho" with plenty of twists and turns .Genuinely frightening movie features one of Crawford's most awesome acting , as well as restrained performances . Furthermore , a young George Kennedy is almost as good in an early character as a farm hand. While Diane Baker plays the good-natured daughter who cares and controls her allegedly nutty mummy . Other secondaries intervening are as follows : Leif Erickson as Lucy's brother , John Anthony Hayes as the good-looking sweetheart , Rochelle Hudson, Howard St John , and brief appearance by Lee Majors as unfortunate hubby .
The motion picture was competently directed by William Castle, an expert director well known for his surprising Gimmicks that had large reception for the general public , though his films were panned by critics . Never one to miss a gimmick , director Castle managed for the distribution of cardboard "Bloody Axes" to all theatre patrons attending the film . William Castle was a prolific writer, producer and director with considerable success. In his begining he directed thrillers , Noir , Drama and Westerns in low budget , such as : The Law rides again, Conquest of Cochise , Americano and getting his greatest successes shooting efficient Chillers and Terror movies, such as : House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler , 13 Ghosts , Mr Sardonicus , Homicidal, Zotz ¡ , The Night Walker and this Strait-Jacket. Rating : 6.5/10. Better than average Chiller . The picture will appeal to Joan Crawford fans and horror aficionados .