Strait-Jacket

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Strait-Jacket

Released Jan 19, 1964

1h 29m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

89%

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9 Reviews

68%

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1,000+ Ratings

Though still mentally shaky, convicted axe-murderess Lucy Harbin (Joan Crawford) is released from the asylum where she was sent 20 years ago for slaying her unfaithful husband. Lucy goes to stay at her brother's farm and reconnect with her grown daughter, Carol (Diane Baker), who saw her mother chop her father to pieces as a tot. Carol helps Lucy regain her old glamorous look -- but suspects that history might be repeating itself when anyone who angers her mother turns up hacked to death.

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Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

Strait-Jacket is a middling Psycho meets Gaslight proto-slasher that telegraphs its plot twists more than Western Union. But it’s elevated by Joan Crawford’s remarkably possessed and highly physical turn as an ax murderess returning home from the asylum.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 8, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The twist ending is one of the most obvious ever put on film, but Crawford's campy histrionics and some neat stylistic flourishes make this worthy entertainment.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 7, 2021

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Sean Mulvihill

FanboyNation.com

In 1964, William Castle would employ the biggest gimmick of his moviemaking career - Joan Crawford as an ax murderer in Strait-Jacket.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 29, 2018

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Chris Alexander

Alexander On Film

(Crawford) may have been mourning her glory days and miserable that the bloom was off her rose, but she remained until the end a major artist and a consummate professional.

Aug 30, 2018

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

This one has a very high quality of dialogue and performance.

Oct 23, 2009

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Joan Crawford in a shlocky classic B thriller and all about axe murders.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 9, 2006

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Gary G

(Put the kds to bed) Grab your favorite snacks and be ready to fill in the dialog with your own: think "Mysterry Science Theatre 3000!" The laughs keep coming with frivolous murderous scenes interspersed with a quaint love story and remarkably stupid characters. Don't forget to fill in the sound effects from Psycho."YEEK, YEEK, YEEK"! Loved the 1950's characters served up as stereotypes ripe for funny comments. There are shadowy Hichckock -style murderers approaches, a shower curtain scene that had me roaring with laughter, and victims who deserve to be killed..."Look behind you you idiot...opps, too late HA, HA HA!!" The plot is predictable, making it easy to keep pace wrh our sarcasm. But Wait! a plot twist worthy of Mel Brooks! Stick with it through the final soul- searching gibberish so you don't miss the Columbia maiden on the final title Card. HA!!HA! HAA!! A HILARIOUS sign off.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

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Julian S

A campy cult classic for all involved.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

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nick s

Entertaining, with good performances. Crawford was particularly compelling. Well paced with some nice directing flourishes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

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David W

Strait-Jacket would otherwise have been a fun but forgettable horror film if not for the outsized performance offered by Joan Crawford. The peculiarities of her career's trajectory have given audiences a much-loved cult classic. I would absolutely watch this again!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

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Steve D

Even Crawford's acting is mixed.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

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Mike F

Really enjoyed watching Joan Crawford in this role for which she is perfectly suited. While a bit predictable, the story was fun and while this has some horror attributes this feels more like a comedy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

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William Castle

Director

Joan Crawford

Lucy Harbin

Diane Baker

Carol Harbin

Leif Erickson

Bill Cutler

Howard St. John

Raymond Fields

John Anthony Hayes

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Synopsis

Though still mentally shaky, convicted axe-murderess Lucy Harbin (Joan Crawford) is released from the asylum where she was sent 20 years ago for slaying her unfaithful husband. Lucy goes to stay at her brother's farm and reconnect with her grown daughter, Carol (Diane Baker), who saw her mother chop her father to pieces as a tot. Carol helps Lucy regain her old glamorous look -- but suspects that history might be repeating itself when anyone who angers her mother turns up hacked to death.

Director: William Castle
Producer: William Castle
Screenwriter: Robert Bloch
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 1964, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Mono

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