Movie review – “Homicidal” (1961) **1/2 (warning: spoilers)

William Castle not only rips off Psycho (visiting a motel, a blonde driving in a car in the rain with headlights behind, a Martin Balsam lookalike investigating, mother complex), he rips off himself - there are heartbeats on the soundtrack, a mute old woman, a bland pair of juvenile lovers, an old rickety house... all things that were in The Tingler.

After a bland flash back there is a terrific opening sequence where a beautiful woman (Jean Arless) pays a bellhop at a hotel money to marry her - but then she stabs the justice of the peace to death. She then goes to an old house where she's been staying with a mute nurse in a wheelchair and money is to be inherited by a weird looking kid, Warren. You'll guess from the moment you see "him" that the man is actually a woman - but you know something? Knowing this doesn't really detract from the story, it's just so weird. A bit sordid.

Castle's direction is functional, and makes the story look like the episode of a TV anthology - this would have been far better had he only produced and gotten someone else to be behind the camera (he could have still done his introductions). And it's never as gripping after that opening sequence. But it does have a fascination due to the dual man and woman role. Also I love the fright break towards the end of the film when audiences are given a chance to leave the theatre - it's terrific.