Anatomy of a Psycho (1961)

The crazed brother of a condemned killer sent to the gas chamber swears vengeance on those he holds responsible for his brother's execution.

Director:

Boris Petroff

Writers:

Jane Mann (original story), Jane Mann (screenplay),

Stars:

Ronnie Burns, Pamela Lincoln, Darrell Howe

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ronnie Burns	...	Mickey
Pamela Lincoln	...	Pat
Darrell Howe	...	Chet
Judy Howard	...	Sandy
Michael Granger	...	Lt. Mac (as Michael Grainger)
Frank Killmond	...	Bobbie
Russ Bender	...	Frank (as Russell Bender)
Don Devlin	...	Moe
William Salzwedel	...	Duke
Robert Stabler	...	Defense Attorney
John B. Lee	...	District Attorney

Storyline

Driven to the edge of insanity by the execution of his older brother, Chet is boiling over with hatred. After getting his face slashed in a senseless alley-way brawl, his paranoia begins to paint everyone around him as an enemy. He turns to his sweet younger sister, his slutty girlfriend, and even his old poker buddies for solace, but all of them have real or imagined links back to the ill-fated trial that condemned his brother, thus aggravating Chet's psychosis. After viciously assaulting the prosecuting attorney's son, the troubled youth draws the relentless attention of detective Lt. Mac. Spiraling out of control, Chet commits an arson and then a senseless murder. With Lt. Mac ratcheting up the pressure, Chet sinks deeper and deeper into the bottomless pit of his own psychotic delusions.

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Plot Keywords:

arson | murder | attorney | killer | brother brother relationship | 

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Taglines:

Terrifying!

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1961 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

UNITEL

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Glen Glenn Sound) (as Glen Glen Sound)

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was refused a UK cinema certificate in 1961.

User Reviews

So THIS is what became of George and Gracie's son!

Ronnie Burns, the star of this movie, is the adopted son of George Burns and Gracie Allen. He guest starred on their TV show many times but I guess he wanted to branch out on his own. Unfortunately this movie, directed by the same guy who did THE UNEARTHLY, is as far as he got. Actually it is quite good as JD films go. Ronnie is a kid bordering on psycho already whose older brother is sent to the gas chamber for murder. Ronnie does not know, or does not want to know, that the brother he used as a role model was a thug, robber and general no-good. Instead he decides to avenge his death by getting rid of everyone responsible for the trial and sentencing. This would be okay if Ronnie's character were any good as a delinquent but in truth he is just an amateur. Early in the film he tries to beat up a guy who insults his brother but only ends up getting slashed with a broken bottle. For the rest of the movie you can watch the scar change size and location. He does manage to burn down the house where his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend lives and surprisingly no one catches on that he did it. We think the whole plot will be about him seeking revenge but the movie takes a turn when Ronnie kills his best friend and frames his sister's boyfriend for the crime. Will goodness win out? Hey. it's just a 73 minute picture, it won't be long before you find out. One thing you will notice right away is how very low the budget was. For key dramatic scenes the music is instantly recognizable as coming from PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE (1959). A fight scene is backed up by the music where Tor Johnson rises from his grave. That is sure to distract all B movie fans.