Bent on winning a Pulitzer Prize, a journalist commits himself to a mental institution to solve a strange and unclear murder.Bent on winning a Pulitzer Prize, a journalist commits himself to a mental institution to solve a strange and unclear murder.Bent on winning a Pulitzer Prize, a journalist commits himself to a mental institution to solve a strange and unclear murder.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 2 nominations
Bill Zuckert
- 'Swanee' Swanson
- (as William Zuckert)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBecause of the film's budget and the size of the sound stage, Samuel Fuller hired little people to walk around in the far section of the corridor to give audiences a greater sense of depth.
- GoofsWhen Cathy is visiting Johnny at the hospital, she kisses him passionately and he reacts wildly, telling her never to do that again. She is completely surprised and doesn't understand his strong reaction. Considering she was pretending to be his sister and had reported him for attempted incest which is what got him committed to the hospital, it made no sense that she would kiss him in front of hospital staff familiar with his case. Johnny's reaction was strong but correct.
- Quotes
Johnny Barrett: Nymphos!
- Crazy creditsThe quote "Whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad". Euripides 425 B.C." appears at the beginning and end.
- ConnectionsEdited from House of Bamboo (1955)
- Soundtracks(I Wish I Was in) Dixie's Land
(uncredited)
aka "Dixie"
Music by Daniel Decatur Emmett
Whistled by James Best (Stuart); also played on the piano during the dance therapy session.
Featured review
Undercover madness Fuller style.
The striking thing about this film is just how unnervingly barmy the characters are, and even more amazing is just how they seem so apt with Sam Fuller's sledgehammer direction. Written, directed and produced by Fuller it weaves a cautionary tale of how faking madness just might bring about the downfall of ones own sanity, and here it begs the question of if the price of fame has no boundaries to those who clamour for glory ?. The film cleverly manages to make the viewer think about the thin line between sanity and insanity and this is shot with such style it lingers long in the memory after the credits role. Some great sequences allied with clever switches to {almost surreal} color make this more than a curiosity piece because of the directors "American Primitive" reputation.
Interestingly dark 8/10.
Interestingly dark 8/10.
helpful•153
- hitchcockthelegend
- Mar 4, 2008
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Straightjacket
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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