Craze (1974)

A nutty antiques dealer starts to sacrifice women to an African idol.

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Herman Cohen, Aben Kandel,

Stars:

Jack Palance, Diana Dors, Julie Ege

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Palance	...	Neal Mottram
Diana Dors	...	Dolly Newman
Julie Ege	...	Helena
Edith Evans	...	Aunt Louise
Hugh Griffith	...	Solicitor
Trevor Howard	...	Supt. Bellamy
Michael Jayston	...	Det. Sgt. Wall
Suzy Kendall	...	Sally
Martin Potter	...	Ronnie
Percy Herbert	...	Det. Russet
David Warbeck	...	Det. Wilson
Kathleen Byron	...	Muriel Sharp
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Venicia Day	...	Dancer
Dean Harris	...	Ronnie's friend
Marianne Stone	...	Barmaid

Storyline

Jack Palance plays as a demented art dealer & antique-shop owner who performs nightly rituals in honor of the African god Chuku, whom he believes will reward him with unimaginable wealth and power if he merely offers up human sacrifice. His methods are fairly creative, ranging from impalement, slashing and burning, to scaring people to death with an ooga-booga fright mask.

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Plot Keywords:

antique dealer | human sacrifice | antique shop | antique | idol | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Demon Master

Company Credits

Production Co:

Harbour Productions Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The part of Neal Mottram was written as British but an American performer was chosen to play him.

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Connections

Referenced in Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)

User Reviews

The worship of African God Chuku.

Jack Palance plays an antique dealer Neal Mottram,who worships creepy looking statue of African God Chuku.Chuku is supposed to bring wealth and good fortune,but it also demands human sacrifices.Neal starts killing sexy British ladies to satisfy Chuku."Craze" by Freddie Francis features an over-the-top performance of the great and sadly missed Jack Palance.There are some comedic moments as well as plenty of suspense.Sexy Suzy Kendall of "Torso" and "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage" shines as a hooker/dominatrix."Craze" is based on Henry Seymour's book,but I found that Chuku was a creator deity of the Ibo people of Nigeria.Diana Dors is superb in a supporting role here and also in "Nothing But the Night",a horror film which was the only movie ever made by Christopher Lee's own production company.7 out of 10.