Homicidal

A woman proposes to a man she has never met in a hotel, pays him, and stabs the official during the ceremony. Then she returns to town and goes on caring for a paralysed old woman. The reason for the killing is only explained at the end. William Castle directed and produced. The film openly follows Psycho; Castle did not hide it and built a similar structure within the same year. Castle's real work was promotion. Just before the ending he put a Fright Break on screen: during a forty-five second countdown, anyone who could not take it could leave and get their money back. Those who left had to wait in what was called the coward's corner and walk past everyone. The gimmick worked and the film did well, though only a few people actually took the refund. The revelation at the end was considered bold for its time and is argued over today in terms of gender identity. Who it is for: viewers curious about William Castle's showmanship and sixties thrillers. Who it is not for: anyone who will compare it to Psycho; it is not that good and knows it.