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This post is part of the 4th Hammer-Amicus Blogathon, hosted by Barry of Cinematic Catharsis & Gill of Realweegiemidget Reviews! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Hammer-Amicus Blogathons past, I’ve sunk my teeth into supernatural horror, geeked out over sci-fi zaniness and danced to the beat of teen jazz obsession. This time around finds me lurking in the shadows of a 1963 psychological thriller that I had never seen before! Honestly, I didn’t know much about PARANOIAC other than the soap opera twist its plot is centered around. Poor Eleanor and Simon Ashby. First they lost their parents in a terrible accident. Then their brother Tony killed himself. These tragedies continue to hang heavy over the Ashby family mansion. Maybe this is why Eleanor believes she has seen Tony alive! Simon and Aunt Harriet believe Eleanor has taken leave of her senses…or has she? Pushed to the emotional brink, Eleanor has decided to emulate her brother’s suicide by jumping off a cliff into the ocean. A man saves her and takes her home, shocking everyone in the household. Apparently, this man is Tony! No body was ever found, so could it actually be the presumed dead Ashby sibling? Tensions mount as the family tries to figure out if this man is really Tony. Aunt Harriet becomes even more intense. Simon drinks and explodes in fury even more often than before. Eleanor believes the man is her brother, but is disturbed by her growing attraction to him.
This post is part of the 4th Hammer-Amicus Blogathon, hosted by Barry of Cinematic Catharsis & Gill of Realweegiemidget Reviews! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Hammer-Amicus Blogathons past, I’ve sunk my teeth into supernatural horror, geeked out over sci-fi zaniness and danced to the beat of teen jazz obsession. This time around finds me lurking in the shadows of a 1963 psychological thriller that I had never seen before! Honestly, I didn’t know much about PARANOIAC other than the soap opera twist its plot is centered around. Poor Eleanor and Simon Ashby. First they lost their parents in a terrible accident. Then their brother Tony killed himself. These tragedies continue to hang heavy over the Ashby family mansion. Maybe this is why Eleanor believes she has seen Tony alive! Simon and Aunt Harriet believe Eleanor has taken leave of her senses…or has she? Pushed to the emotional brink, Eleanor has decided to emulate her brother’s suicide by jumping off a cliff into the ocean. A man saves her and takes her home, shocking everyone in the household. Apparently, this man is Tony! No body was ever found, so could it actually be the presumed dead Ashby sibling? Tensions mount as the family tries to figure out if this man is really Tony. Aunt Harriet becomes even more intense. Simon drinks and explodes in fury even more often than before. Eleanor believes the man is her brother, but is disturbed by her growing attraction to him.
Is Tony really Tony? How will Eleanor handle her incestuous feelings? Will Simon finally snap? Can Aunt Harriet keep things under control? Also, what is up with the creepy singing and organ music coming from the dilapidated chapel? Who is lurking down there in the nightmare fuel of a mask and what does it mean? Secrets are revealed, sometimes sooner than expected, but my lips are sealed! You’ll have to watch PARANOIAC to find the answers! After spending a day fighting Triffids, Janette Scott as Eleanor Ashby gives a good performance as a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Sheila Burrell as Aunt Harriet gives a strong performance as the ersatz matriarch trying to keep family secrets a secret. Alexander Davion as Tony Ashby gives an intriguing performance as the man who may or may not be who he seems. (SIDE NOTE: Davion went on to play Ted Casablanca in VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1967). Then there is the always memorable Oliver Reed as Simon Ashby. Reed comes on like gangbusters as the drunkenly violent member of the Ashby clan. According to the audio commentary, this may have been art imitating life. Screenwriter Jimmy Sangster weaves an emotionally disturbing story with echoes of gothic horror reverberating through the corridors. The viewer may see some of the twists and turns coming, but maybe not when they will occur, which keeps the plot on edge. After one early revelation, I told my sister I thought it would be the big finale reveal, not something given away halfway through the film.
Director Freddie Francis draws out a solid Hammer film from the script and actors. He keeps the camera moving, the pace brisk and the atmosphere tense. A scene involving a car dangling precariously off a cliff is particularly effective! If I have one complaint, it is my disappointment in how little the super freaky-creepy mask is utilized in the plot. When the blu-ray arrived, I was startled by this grotesque face staring back from the cover. (No, not Oliver Reed) I let my imagination run rampant with visions of a masked killer bumping off members of a wealthy family. Maybe the resurrected Hammer studio will give this psychological thriller a contemporary slasher twist! In conclusion…
Somehow PARANOIAC is not quite what you think of with Hammer films, but also totally a Hammer production. The cinematography is lush black & white. The performances are spot on for the story. If you enjoy turbulent twists and turns within a mansion of deep, dark secrets, then you will be captivated by PARANOIAC! I know I was!
Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words.
Freak Out,
JLH
Just added this superb post to the blogathon, and you so got my interest with this fun soap stylee plot description. Needless to say you added this to my to watch list with this alone and your fun take on this Oliver Reed must watch... thanks for joining John. Always lovely to add your posts to our blogathons.
ReplyDeleteThank you and you're welcome, Gill!
DeleteI definitely picked a hammer film right up my soap opera alley! I think you'll enjoy it!
This is a fantastic, cheeky review! It's been years since I've seen the film. I never put together that Davion was in my guilty pleasure Valley of the Dolls!
ReplyDeletePS: This is Joey from The Last Drive In
DeleteThanks, Joey!
DeleteI only discovered the valley of the Dolls connection via the shop factory audio commentary!
Whenever I watch valley of the Dolls, I have to follow it up with Beyond!
Excellent review, John. It's been a hot minute since I've seen Paranoiac, and judging by your descriptions (Who doesn't like "an emotionally disturbing story with echoes of gothic horror reverberating through the corridors"?). And Oliver Reed is always watchable, especially when he plays a version of himself. Thanks a bunch for joining our little blogathon!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and thank you, Barry! I really did pick a good one!
DeleteGreat write-up of one of Hammer's better psycho-thrillers. Jimmy Sangster was the king of psychological horror for the studio, and with Freddie Francis at the helm, you know it's going to be beautifully shot and very atmospheric. Paranoiac is included in one of my treasured DVD collections, the 8-film Hammer Horror Series collection, and I've seen every title at least several times. Can't agree with you more about the mask - it's off the creepiness scale charts!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brian!
DeleteHammer assembled the perfect team for this film and that mask is the stuff of nightmares!
Sounds like you're 8 film Hammer collection doesn't have a bad one in the batch!
When I heard that you were reviewing Paranoiac, I knew you'd have a good time with it. I really enjoy the film. The family is so batty and broken. It's fun to watch them bouncing off of one another. And Reed can always be counted on for an intense and off-beat performance. Great article, John!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michael! You were right! I enjoyed the dysfunctional Ashby family! I think I picked the right movie for me to review this time around!
DeleteWow. The Carringtons have nothing on the Ashbys.
ReplyDelete😂You are totally right about that!
DeleteI completely agree about the lack of usage about the creepy mask!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's my one disappointment. Thanks for stopping by.
Delete