IMDb >
Strait-Jacket (1964)
Watch It
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
at Crackle

Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsStrait-Jacket (1964) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Robert Bloch (written by)
Release Date:
19 January 1964 (USA)
more
Tagline:
HER HUSBAND...HER ROOM... ......AND ANOTHER WOMAN more
Plot:
After a 20 year stay at an asylum for a double murder, a mother returns to her estranged daughter where suspicions arise about her behavior. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Weekend Shopping Guide 10/23/09: Don’t Mention The War
(From Quick Stop. 21 October 2009, 10:13 PM, PDT)
New on DVD This Week
(From The Flickcast. 20 October 2009, 1:00 PM, PDT)
(From Quick Stop. 21 October 2009, 10:13 PM, PDT)
New on DVD This Week
(From The Flickcast. 20 October 2009, 1:00 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Excellent little shocker from William Castle!
more (57 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Joan Crawford | ... | Lucy Harbin | |
| Diane Baker | ... | Carol Harbin | |
| Leif Erickson | ... | Bill Cutler | |
| Howard St. John | ... | Raymond Fields | |
| John Anthony Hayes | ... | Michael Fields | |
| Rochelle Hudson | ... | Emily Cutler | |
| George Kennedy | ... | Leo Krause | |
| Edith Atwater | ... | Mrs. Fields | |
| Mitchell Cox | ... | Dr. Anderson |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
93 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
Germany:18 |
Portugal:M/16 |
USA:Approved (No. 20618) |
USA:TV-14 (TV rating) |
UK:X (theatrical release) (cut) |
Finland:(Banned) (1964)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Joan Crawford had script and cast approval.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: Opening sequence includes close-up of front page newspaper story announcing that Lucy has been declared insane. But photo used to illustrate story shows character wearing earrings that weren't purchased until years later, after her release.
more
Quotes:
Lucy Harbin:
[to Michael] You sit down here with Carrol because I wouldn't want her to think I was taking her father away from her.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (2007)
more
Soundtrack:
There Goes That Song
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (57 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Strait-Jacket (1964) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte | Premonition | Bless the Child | Guizi lai le | The Bad Seed |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |


William Castle is best known for fun, gimmicky horror flicks the likes of The House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler; but his resume features some more complex films that can comfortably sit alongside the best B-movies of the sixties, and Straight-Jacket is one such film. Obviously, a film of this nature relies heavily on its lead star; so it's a good job that this one benefits from a great leading performance courtesy of the fabulous Joan Crawford. Crawford isn't as good here as she was two years earlier in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, but she approaches her role with seriousness, and it gives the film a sense of credibility not often associated with this type of film. The plot takes obvious influence from Psycho, and focuses on Lucy Harbin. She was sent to an asylum after she discovered her husband in bed with another woman, and proceeded to axe them both to death. She is released twenty years later, still on the brink of sanity, and is reunited with her daughter Carol (who was present at the murder) and discovers that she is engaged to be married.
The tagline, which states that the film 'vividly depicts axe murders' isn't exactly true, and the film is not very shocking in today's day and age. However, this would obviously have been different back in 1964, and despite no real money shots; Castle gives his film a great macabre atmosphere, and this adequately provides the horror on its own. Crawford gets a great support cast to work with, and again the film transcends its B-movie heritage as they're all extremely good. Diane Baker, Leif Erickson and my personal favourite, George Kennedy, all manage to give stand-out performances behind the leading lady. The film opens up with a great little sequence which shows why the lead character was sent to the asylum, and although the plotting takes a downturn after that; Castle manages to keep things interesting all the way down to the explosive ending. The final plot twist isn't exactly impossible to figure out, but I have to say that it caught me by surprise and while not everything completely makes sense by the end, Castle does a good job of implementing the twist. Overall, Homicidal and Mr Sardonicus still top my list of favourite William Castle films, but Straight-Jacket isn't far behind and comes highly recommended!