The Crazy Kill (3 May 1975)

Director:

Dennis Vance

Writer:

Dennis Spooner

Stars:

Denholm Elliott, Tandy Cronyn, Anthony Valentine

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Denholm Elliott	...	Dr. Frank Henson
Tandy Cronyn	...	Tracy Loxton
Anthony Valentine	...	Garard
Claire Nielson	...	Hilary
Alan Browning	...	Supt. Brook
John Moreno	...	Filton (as Juan Moreno)
David Horovitch	...	Tredgett
Dennis Chinnery	...	Sergeant
Ken Parry	...	Taxi Driver
Brian Haines	...	Inspector
Mark Wing-Davey	...	Cater
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Lindsay	...	Policeman at roadblock

Storyline

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1975 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated Television (ATV), ITC Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

An accomplished episode

'The Crazy Kill' represents the midpoint of Thriller's penultimate series. It is an impressive and tense story with excellent acting performances all round and despite the somewhat implausible conclusion, is particularly enjoyable.

The scene is set with Dr Henson (played with panache by Denholm Elliott) and his wife Hilary (the stunning Claire Neilson gives it her all despite the lack of screen time) having an argument in their home. Mrs Henson is somewhat traumatised and her husband refers to her as being neurotic. We then learn that two dangerous criminals are on the loose in the area - Garard and Filton - and are armed. The character of Garard is impressive with Anthony Valentine giving him a steely and heartless air. Juan Moreno returns for his second Thriller appearance as his sidekick Filton.

The criminals make the Henson home their retreat and waste no time in taking the unfortunate couple prisoner. Despite assurances that the Hensons are expecting no further visitors, the criminals' plan goes awry when an American journalist Tracy Loxton (Tandy Cronyn) calls to interview Mrs Henson about her poster collection. Even though she is informed that her subject is unfortunately absent, Loxton persuades the clearly nervous Doctor to admit her to the house where she commences taking various notes about the posters on display.

The role of the police is a significant one and there are some good performances in this regard especially by Alan Browning as Superintendent Brook.

The final scenes are fraught with tension while the tables are turned and we learn that Garard and Filton are not the only people with murder on their minds....