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Psychomania

Play trailer Psychomania Released May 22, 1963 1h 30m Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 0 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
When one of his models is found dead, Korean War veteran and painter Elliott Freeman (Lee Philips) becomes the primary suspect in the case. A bold detective tries to identify the murderer and investigates the girl's ex-boyfriend (James Farentino), who fought with Elliott the night before the murder, as well as a mysterious professor (Day Tuttle). But when another woman close to Elliott is murdered in the same fashion, Elliott fights to claim his innocence despite the evidence against him.

Audience Reviews

View All (7) audience reviews
steve d Deeply problematic movie with no one to root for and a male lead so unlikable you wish he was one of the victims. EXTREAMLY sexist film with little to recommend it. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Strange little horror film. I liked the way it meandered but I think most would probably find it unfocused. It's most interesting as a parallel to the Italian giallo genre, which its shares many tropes with. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Unusually risque and violent for its day; the sleaze factor detracts, however, from what little plot there is. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This mean-spirited little picture plays as a sort of proto-giallo, and seems like the direct inspiration for Argento's DEEP RED. All the hallmarks of the genre are here from an ambiguous opening set in the past, torchered artists as everyman amateur sleuths, gloved killers in trench coats, a mountain of sexual dysfunction (some of which gets pretty damned creepy), and a whodunit element that isn't very complicated, but pretty twisted for the era. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h26m33s90.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Elliot Freeman lives with the guilt that he may have killed his own father during a supposed hunting accident. It was right after a heated argument and Elliot was filled with anger towards his own father therefore giving him the motive. His anger derived from his father's own loss of sanity. Elliot's father was a rich man who own much of the town and fears that one day he might end up like his father: Insane in the membrane. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h27m26s81.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Even fighting in Korea sparked his rage whenever one of his friends were killed. Now he lives as an artist creating portraits of pretty models. Not a bad gig especially since he can sleep with his subjects. Like Dolores for example. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h29m12s115.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> A model Dolores maybe, but she comes with some baggage meaning she has a jealous boyfriend on the side by the name of Charlie, a biker with a greaser mentality. When taking Dolores out to a bar Elliot and Charlie get into a scuffle of all things causing the patrons of the bar to split the two up. What a date and it gets even better. As it turns out Dolores is pregnant! Oh no! Such drama! Unfortunately it's not meant to be, seeing that Elliot doesn't want any part of it. Unaware by the two of them is someone lurking in the shadows getting ready to slice and dice poor Dolores once Elliot leaves her apartment. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h30m29s126.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h30m39s221.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h31m15s52.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> So sad. Even sadder for Elliot who becomes a suspect in her murder. Charlie as well. To make more victims worst even Elliot's half sister shows up. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h31m59s23.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Boy! Will she be surprised what she's in for not to mention what other lovely ladies will be in for since there are a slew of gorgeous women in this little slasher production. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h33m05s170.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Oh yes look at them flourish. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h36m35s205.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> A slice and dicer as this one maybe holds itself more in the murder mystery genre. It does provide enough gory moments (even if they are few) for the average horror fan. It's the mystery that grabs your attention the most as well as it's impressive camerawork which really draws you into the film itself. Especially the last 30 minutes which really had me on the edge of my seat. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h35m20s219.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Oh, look for Lorraine Rogers who plays Alice St. Clair. She shares a brief, but very erotic "sex scene" with the Charlie character in a utility closet. Very seductive in the way it was handled. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/SlasherMonster/Violent%20Midnight/vlcsnap-2011-03-02-21h37m06s29.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> What you can hope to find in this film is a well made mystery with a slasher tone set to some really good B&W photography. This was a nice one. Check it out. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Now (after being kept guessing throughout the whole thing) that I know just who the Violent Midnight killer was, my only question is: how did the filmmakers get away with all that nudity in 1963!? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Psychomania

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis When one of his models is found dead, Korean War veteran and painter Elliott Freeman (Lee Philips) becomes the primary suspect in the case. A bold detective tries to identify the murderer and investigates the girl's ex-boyfriend (James Farentino), who fought with Elliott the night before the murder, as well as a mysterious professor (Day Tuttle). But when another woman close to Elliott is murdered in the same fashion, Elliott fights to claim his innocence despite the evidence against him.
Screenwriter
Robin Miller
Production Co
Del Tenny Productions
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 22, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 31, 2019
Runtime
1h 30m