A man long believed dead returns to the family estate to claim his inheritance.
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Title: Paranoiac (1963)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview: | |||
| Janette Scott | ... | Eleanor Ashby | |
| Oliver Reed | ... | Simon Ashby | |
| Sheila Burrell | ... | Aunt Harriet | |
| Maurice Denham | ... | John Kossett | |
| Alexander Davion | ... | Tony Ashby | |
| Liliane Brousse | ... | Françoise | |
 |
Harold Lang | ... | RAF Type |
| Arnold Diamond | ... | Publican | |
| John Bonney | ... | Keith Kossett | |
| John Stuart | ... | Williams | |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
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Storyline
Eleven years earlier, the wealthy Ashby family was shattered when Mr and Mrs Ashby died in an airplane crash and their grieving son Tony committed suicide. All that remains of the family is cruel Simon, an alcoholic in desperate need of funds; his mentally fragile sister Eleanor; and his protective aunt Harriet. Simon is just weeks away from receiving his inheritance, but there is a hitch in his plans when the long believed dead Tony Ashby suddenly arrives. Written by L. Hamre
Plot Keywords:
secret room | psychotronic film | inheritance | hidden room | imposter |Taglines:
Shocking! Horrifying! Macabre! See more »Parents Guide:
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Aunt Harriet: Where have you been?
Simon Ashby: [smirk on his face] I've been drinking.
[Looks at the liquor on the bar in the entryway]
Simon Ashby: Now I need to drink some more.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Liliane Brousse is dubbed by Christine Finn. See more »Goofs
As Simon plays the congregational hymn on the organ in the opening scene at the church the music shown on his stand in the organ loft is an oratorio/anthem music score with SATB lines (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) and a two-stave orchestral/keyboard reduction, emphatically not a church hymn. See more »Quotes
Simon Ashby: [stumbles through the door inebriated]Aunt Harriet: Where have you been?
Simon Ashby: [smirk on his face] I've been drinking.
[Looks at the liquor on the bar in the entryway]
Simon Ashby: Now I need to drink some more.
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
15 May 1963 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Haus des Grauens See more »Filming Locations:
Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, UKCompany Credits
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Simon Ashby (Oliver Reed) is a psychopath who is trying to scare his sister (Janette Scott) to death to get her share of their inheritance. Then their brother Tony (Alexander Davion) who supposedly committed suicide years before shows up. Then things get strange...
Really odd film--very low key (for Hammer). For one thing it was shot in black and white, not the vivid color they usually used. Also there are no monsters here (unless you count Simon) and this is more of a thriller than a horror film. Still it works! It's beautifully directed by Freddie Francis and the plot itself has plenty of twists and turns to keep you off guard.
The acting is good. Reed especially is fantastic--his violent rages are frightening and you can always see the madness lurking underneath him. Scott and Davion are both good-looking (especially Davion) and as good as they can be...considering they're given nothing to do. This is no masterpiece but a quick (only 80 minutes) and efficient thriller which keeps you entertained and guessing. Recommended.