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Scalpel

Original title: False Face
  • 19771977
  • RR
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
652
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
False Face (1977)
DramaHorrorThriller
When an unhinged surgeon happens across a young woman with her face beaten beyond recognition, he sees an opportunity to put his trusty scalpel to use - hatching a plan to "reconstruct" her ... Read allWhen an unhinged surgeon happens across a young woman with her face beaten beyond recognition, he sees an opportunity to put his trusty scalpel to use - hatching a plan to "reconstruct" her face in the image of his missing daughter.When an unhinged surgeon happens across a young woman with her face beaten beyond recognition, he sees an opportunity to put his trusty scalpel to use - hatching a plan to "reconstruct" her face in the image of his missing daughter.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
652
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Grissmer
  • Writers
    • John Grissmer
    • Joseph Weintraub(original story)
  • Stars
    • Robert Lansing
    • Judith Chapman
    • Arlen Dean Snyder
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Grissmer
  • Writers
    • John Grissmer
    • Joseph Weintraub(original story)
  • Stars
    • Robert Lansing
    • Judith Chapman
    • Arlen Dean Snyder
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Photos28

    Robert Lansing and Arlen Dean Snyder in False Face (1977)
    Robert Lansing in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman and Robert Lansing in False Face (1977)
    Arlen Dean Snyder in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman and Robert Lansing in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman and Robert Lansing in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman and Robert Lansing in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman and Arlen Dean Snyder in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman and Robert Lansing in False Face (1977)
    Judith Chapman and Robert Lansing in False Face (1977)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Lansing
    Robert Lansing
    • Dr. Phillip Reynoldsas Dr. Phillip Reynolds
    Judith Chapman
    Judith Chapman
    • Heatheras Heather…
    Arlen Dean Snyder
    Arlen Dean Snyder
    • Uncle Bradleyas Uncle Bradley
    David Scarroll
    • Dr. Robert Deanas Dr. Robert Dean
    Sandy Martin
    Sandy Martin
    • Sandyas Sandy
    Bruce Atkins
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Muriel Moore
    • Cousin Margaretas Cousin Margaret
    Clara Dunn
    • Gossipy Womanas Gossipy Woman
    Stan Wojno
    • Donaldas Donald
    • (as Stanley Wojno)
    Laura Whyte
    • Jennifer Reynoldsas Jennifer Reynolds
    Larry Quackenbush
    • Keith Jarveyas Keith Jarvey
    Greg Oliver
    • Killeras Killer
    Mimi Honce
    • Maddie Schusteras Maddie Schuster
    Ellen Heard
    • Woman at the Partyas Woman at the Party
    Tad Currie
    • Mr. Branchas Mr. Branch
    Warde Q. Butler
    Warde Q. Butler
    • Mr. Clydeas Mr. Clyde
    George Macrenaris
    • Face Smasheras Face Smasher
    Lynda Simon
    • Jane as Go-Go Danceras Jane as Go-Go Dancer
    • Director
      • John Grissmer
    • Writers
      • John Grissmer
      • Joseph Weintraub(original story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Dr. Phillip, a deranged plastic surgeon, who has probably murdered his wife and who definitely has murdered his daughter's boyfriend, is distressed when he learns Phillip's, his father-in-law will. Rather than leave any money to the transparently awful son-in-law, he leaves his entire (very large) estate to the surgeon's daughter, Heather. The only problem is, the girl has run away. He hits on the scheme of re-creating his daughter's face from the ruined features of a go-go dancer, and with her cooperation bilks the estate of several disbursements, growing increasingly deranged as time goes on. —dvdbeaver
    psychotronic filmplastic surgerypianistoperationjazz band4 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • He lost the face of the woman he loved ... so he gave it to someone else.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Horror
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Referenced in Adjust Your Tracking (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      After the Ball
      by Charles Harris

    User reviews20

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A 1970s Horror Hidden Treasure
    A murderous surgeon (Robert Lansing) concocts a twisted scheme to win his missing daughter's inheritance money: by transforming a Jane Doe (Judith Chapman) into her double.

    Although he was a constantly working actor, Lansing is probably best remembered as the authoritarian Brig. Gen. Frank Savage in "12 O'clock High" (1964), the television drama series about World War II bomber pilots. Genre fans may know him from "4D Man" (1959), "Empire of the Ants" (1977) or "The Nest" (1988). "Scalpel" is an early role for Judith Chapman who went on to star in a wide variety of soap operas.

    The film has been called a "Hitchcock wannabe", which is fair. But really, it is as good as some of Hitchcock's work. Maybe not his best films, but better than average.
    helpful•4
    2
    • gavin6942
    • Apr 18, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1977 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Woman of the Shadows
    • Filming locations
      • Covington, Georgia, USA
    • Production company
      • PJ Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Feb 28WeAreMovieGeeks.com

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