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IMDbPro

Scream of Fear

Original title: Taste of Fear
  • 19611961
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Susan Strasberg in Scream of Fear (1961)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:11
1 Video
46 Photos
  • Horror
  • Thriller
A wheelchair-bound young woman returns to her father's estate after ten years, and although she's told he's away, she keeps seeing his dead body on the estate.A wheelchair-bound young woman returns to her father's estate after ten years, and although she's told he's away, she keeps seeing his dead body on the estate.A wheelchair-bound young woman returns to her father's estate after ten years, and although she's told he's away, she keeps seeing his dead body on the estate.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Seth Holt
  • Writer
    • Jimmy Sangster
  • Stars
    • Susan Strasberg
    • Ann Todd
    • Ronald Lewis
Top credits
  • Director
    • Seth Holt
  • Writer
    • Jimmy Sangster
  • Stars
    • Susan Strasberg
    • Ann Todd
    • Ronald Lewis
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 69User reviews
    • 60Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Scream of Fear
    Trailer 1:11
    Scream of Fear

    Photos46

    Susan Strasberg in Scream of Fear (1961)
    The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960)
    Susan Strasberg in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Susan Strasberg in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Anne Blake in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Ronald Lewis in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Fred Johnson in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Susan Strasberg in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Ann Todd in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Susan Strasberg in Scream of Fear (1961)
    Scream of Fear (1961)
    Scream of Fear (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Susan Strasberg
    Susan Strasberg
    • Penny Applebyas Penny Appleby
    Ann Todd
    Ann Todd
    • Jane Applebyas Jane Appleby
    Ronald Lewis
    Ronald Lewis
    • Robertas Robert
    Christopher Lee
    Christopher Lee
    • Dr. Pierre Gerrardas Dr. Pierre Gerrard
    John Serret
    John Serret
    • Inspector Legrandas Inspector Legrand
    Leonard Sachs
    Leonard Sachs
    • Mr. Sprattas Mr. Spratt
    Anne Blake
    Anne Blake
    • Marieas Marie
    Fred Johnson
    Fred Johnson
    • Mr. Applebyas Mr. Appleby
    Heinz Bernard
    • Plainclothes Officeras Plainclothes Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Bernard Browne
    • Gendarmeas Gendarme
    • (uncredited)
    Rodney Burke
    • Policemanas Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Brian Jackson
    Brian Jackson
    • Plainclothes Officeras Plainclothes Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Klee
    • Plainclothes Sergeantas Plainclothes Sergeant
    • (uncredited)
    Madame Lobegue
    • Swiss Air Hostessas Swiss Air Hostess
    • (uncredited)
    Frederick Rawlings
    • Plainclothes Sergeantas Plainclothes Sergeant
    • (uncredited)
    Frederick Schrecker
    • Plainclothes Officeras Plainclothes Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Gordon Sterne
    • Policemanas Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Seth Holt
    • Writer
      • Jimmy Sangster
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In "The Films of Christopher Lee", the actor is on record as saying of the movie, "In my opinion, the best film Hammer ever made." He added that Seth Holt was "one of the best directors Britain ever had."
    • Goofs
      When the policeman is telling Mrs. Abblebee and Bob about the car accident, he says the car was found in 30 feet of water. When we see the car in the water, it is just below the surface.
    • Quotes

      Penny Appleby: [to Dr. Gerrard] You say my mind is affecting my legs. You're wrong. It's my legs that are affecting my mind.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Lodge (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Prelude in E minor
      (uncredited)

      Written by Frédéric Chopin

    User reviews69

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A major highlight for Hammer studios!
    Whenever I think of Hammer Horror, I think of bright colourful camp films; but Hammer also made a handful of black and white mysteries, and many of these stand up as some of their best films. Hysteria, Nightmare and Paranoiac are all very good films; but Seth Holt's Taste of Fear tops the lot! This suspenseful mystery draws the viewer in from the start and doesn't let go until the credits role. The film introduces the wheelchair bound character Penny Appleby; an amiable young girl who strives for independence in spite of her disability. The story picks up upon her return home to the French Riviera for the first time in ten years at the request of her father. Her nightmare starts when she begins seeing the corpse of her father at random places around the house and grounds of the place where she's staying. The friendly chauffeur Bob decides to help the girl get to the bottom of the mystery, but everything is turned upside down when it becomes obvious that nobody in the film is what they appear.

    Initially, the film plays out like it's going to be quite predictable; and indeed, my prediction for what is going to happen actually does happen...but director Seth Holt doesn't show his hand too early, and there is a major twist at the end that I certainly didn't see coming. Director Seth Holt does a really good job with this film, as he gets good performances out of all his cast, the twists are well worked; and best of all, the atmosphere is scintillating! Holt continually imposes an oppressive air of foreboding over the film, and the creepy house provides a fantastic location for a film like this to take place. The film features a relatively small role for Hammer regular, Christopher Lee, who gets to don a silly accent while remaining mysterious. Lead actress Susan Strasberg is the pick of the cast, however, as aside from being stunning; she's not a bad actress either. The film works principally because it keeps the focus on the mystery, and this means that it retains its thriller intentions throughout. Overall, this might be a lesser known Hammer film; but it's not lesser in quality, and I wouldn't hesitate to name this as one of the best films the studio ever produced.
    helpful•38
    6
    • The_Void
    • Aug 18, 2006

    FAQ4

    • What is 'Scream of Fear' about?
    • Is "Scream of Fear" based on a book?
    • How did Penny become crippled?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 22, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Ein Toter spielt Klavier
    • Filming locations
      • Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Hammer Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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