Shock Corridor (1963)

Bent on winning a Pulitzer Prize, a journalist commits himself to a mental institution to solve a strange and unclear murder.

Director:

Samuel Fuller

Writer:

Samuel Fuller

Stars:

Peter Breck, Constance Towers, Gene Evans

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Breck	...	Johnny Barrett
Constance Towers	...	Cathy
Gene Evans	...	Boden
James Best	...	Stuart
Hari Rhodes	...	Trent
Larry Tucker	...	Pagliacci
Paul Dubov	...	Dr. J.L. Menkin
Chuck Roberson	...	Wilkes
Neyle Morrow	...	Psycho
John Matthews	...	Dr. L.G. Cristo
Bill Zuckert	...	'Swanee' Swanson
John Craig	...	Lloyd
Philip Ahn	...	Dr. Fong
Frank Gerstle	...	Lt. Kane
Rachel Romen	...	Singing nympho

Storyline

Johnny Barrett, an ambitious journalist, is determined to win a Pulitzer Prize by solving a murder committed in a lunatic asylum and witnessed only by three inmates, from whom the police have been unable to extract the information. With the connivance of a psychiatrist, and the reluctant help of his girlfriend, he succeeds in having himself declared insane and sent to the asylum. There he slowly tracks down and interviews the witnesses - but things are stranger than they seem ...

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Plot Keywords:

murder | psychiatrist | police | undercover | fetishist | 

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Taglines:

The Medical Jungle Doctors Don't Talk About!

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 September 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Straightjacket

Company Credits

Production Co:

Leon Fromkess-Sam Firks Productions, Allied Artists Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Ryder Sound Services)

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Samuel Fuller, the film was shot in 10 days, on one set, with no exteriors.

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Goofs

During the climatic fight sequence between Johnny and Wilkes, Peter Breck's stunt double is visible in a few shots.

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Quotes

Psycho: I am impotent... and I like it!

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Connections

Referenced in The Naked Kiss (1964)

User Reviews

"Whom God wishes to destroy, He firsts makes mad."

A tale of irony in the vein of EC comics, Shock Corridor is Samuel Fuller's work of genius and far ahead of its time. Fuller pulls some absolutely great performances out of his cast. Everyone delivers the goods. Each character is so wild and outlandish while the actors playing them still maintain believability. Peter Breck is outstanding in the lead. All of the patients are either hysterically funny or scary funny, from Stuart (Rosco P. Coltrane in a memorable role) on down to Pagliacci. But the real standout in the movie is Hari Rhodes in the role of Trent, the white supremecist. His flawless performance disturbs me (you'll know if you've seen the movie). He could be the best actor ever. What else can I say about this movie, it's an insanely perfect pulp piece. Shock Corridor is an unreal experience, film noir at its best, and truly a cult movie.