Paranoiac – 1964

A Hammer film production released by Universal International 
Copyright MCMLXIV Universal Pictures, Company Incorporated – All rights reserved MPAA Approved 

The characters and incidents portrayed and the names used herein are fictitious and any similarity to the name, character, or history of any person is entirely accidental and unintentional 

RCA Sound Recording 
Produced at Bray Studios, England 
Black & White 80 mins – Cinemascope 

Storyline

Simon and Eleanor Ashby attend a memorial service with their Aunt Harriet. It’s 11 years after the tragic death of their parents, and 8 years since their brother, Anthony, committed suicide. In three weeks time they will inherit the family fortune. But, what’s happening to Eleanor – she keeps seeing her dead brother. Is Simon plotting to drive her insane and inherit the lot himself, or has Anthony really returned from the dead!!!!

Watch the trailer on YouTube

Crew

Cast

Production

Footnotes

The source of this story was Josephine Tey’s horse racing drama Brat Farrar, and it had been on Hammer’s roster for about ten years. Sangster’s final screenplay was so different from the original story that the Hammer board of directors debated whether or not they should apply for an extension to their screen rights in the novel!!

Released alongside “The Kiss of the Vampire” (1964), this was Freddie Francis’ first film for Hammer as Director. He won two Oscars during his career for the Cinematography in “Sons and Lovers” (1960) and “Glory” (1989). He went on to make, amongst others “The Skull” and “Dr Terrors House of Horrors” (both 1965) for Tyburn – a film company formed by his son Kevin.

As well as playing Cecily Femm in Hammer’s “The Old Dark House” (1963), Jeanette Scott also starred as Karen Goodwin in “The Day of the Triffids” (1962).

Maurice Denham appeared later as the judge who sent Ronnie Barker’s Fletcher down in the BBC TV sitcom “Porridge”.

Details were complied viewing the actual film. 
Source of viewing copy – The Hammer Graveyard Collection