This week’s mystery movie was the 1961 Columbia film Homicidal with Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Eugenie Leontovich, Alan Bunce, Richard Rust, James Westerfield, Gilbert Green and introducing Jean Arless.
Music by Hugo Friedhofer.
Photographed by Burnett Guffey.
Makeup supervisor Ben Lane.
Assistant director Al Shenberg.
Sound supervisor Charles J. Rice.
Sound by Lambert Day.
Associate producer Dona Holloway.
Written by Robb White.
Produced and directed by William Castle.
Further information on Homicidal is available from the AFI Catalog.
Homicidal is available on Blu-ray from Critics’ Choice Video.
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Once again, the mystery movie was a film for Pride Month, this time with male impersonation. Although I saw William Castle’s other films as a youngster, I somehow missed this one. (Above, one of the longest reviews I’ve ever seen in Harrison’s Reports).
If The New York Times reviewed Homicidal, I would imagine it was by one of the “alphabet critics.”
Eugene Archer (as E.A.) does not approve (July 27, 1961):
Near the end of Homicidal, yesterday’s horror entry at neighborhood theaters, the disembodied voice of William Castle, the producer-director, announces a “fright break” during which economy-minded viewers may return their tickets for a refund. If the reprieve had come before the opening of this dismal imitation of Psycho and Mickey Spillane, it would have been an even better idea. The venerable Eugenie Leontovich, at least, would have been spared the public humiliation of being seen in such trash and a blond called Jean Arless could have avoided the season’s most embarrassing film debut.
For Monday, we have a mysterious girl and a mystery doll.
Update: Alas, our mystery girl remains unidentified.
For “Tricky Tuesday,” we have a mysterious Back of the Head Woman.
Update: This is Jean Arless (Joan Marshall).
For “Hm Wednesday,” we have a mysterious fellow and his enigmatic companion.
Update: This is James Westerfield and Hope Summers.
For “Aha Thursday,” we have a woman of mystery.
Update: This is Eugenie Leontovich.
And two mysterious men.
Update: This is Glenn Corbett, left, and Gilbert Green.
And two more enigmatic men.
Update: This is Snub Pollard, left, and Richard Rust.
Brain Trust roll call: Greg (mystery movie, Tuesday’s Back of the Head Woman and Wednesday’s mysterious guests), L.C. (mystery movie and enigmatic cast), Stacia (mystery movie and Wednesday’s puzzling actors), Roget-L.A. (mystery movie, Tuesday’s Back of the Head Woman and Wednesday’s baffling guests) and Sylvia (mystery movie, Tuesday’s Back of the Head Woman and Wednesday’s elusive performers).
For Friday, we have a mysterious director.
Update: This is William Castle.
And a mysterious woman.
Update: This is Patricia Breslin.
And another mysterious guest, who seems to have marriage issues.
Update: This is Jean Arless (Joan Marshall).
And finally, another enigmatic guest.
Update: This is also Jean Arless (Joan Marshall).
Brain Trust roll call: Thom and Megan (mystery movie, Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mysterious guests), Anne Papineau (mystery movie and mysterious director), Funky PhD (mystery movie, Thursday’s mysterious man No. 1), Sylvia (Thursday’s mysterious guests) and Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests).
ladailymirror.com 
That hair is amazing!
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Definitely of an era….
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Monday’s mysterious is truly a mystery. Tuesday’s Back of the Head woman is Joan Marshall. Wednesday’s couple is James Westerfield and Hope Summers. The movie is Homicidal from 1961.
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Homicidal (1961) w/Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Hope Summers, James Westerfield, Joan Marshall (Jean Arless), Richard Rust, Alan Bunce, Eugenie Leontovich, Gilbert Green, William Castle…
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Hey that’s Hope Summers and James Westerfield on Wednesday, this must be HOMICIDAL (1961)! I swear this entire scene is shot exactly like the scene with the justice of the peace in PSYCHO, I’m sure on purpose. Looks like it was on Underground with ANATOMY OF A PSYCHO about a decade ago which is hilarious. Gotta love William Castle.
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For “Hm Wednesday,” we have James Westerfield and Hope Summers in Homicidal (1961). Tricky Tuesday’s mysterious Back of the Head Woman should be Joan Marshall (aka Jean Arless).
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Homicidal 1961
Directed by William Castle (What a showman – that trailer!)
Monday – haven’t been able to find info on the two child actors so far.
Tuesday – Joan Marshall (aka Jean Arless)
Wednesday – James Westerfield and Hope Summers
It doesn’t sound like many people took advantage of the “Fright Break” area that Mr Castle set up for those who were too skittish to finish the film.
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Today’s movie is Homicidal, with Joan Marshall, James Westerfield, Hope Summers, Glenn Corbett, Gilbert Green, ‘Snub’ Pollard, and Richard Rust.
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I’ll need more time to parse this out (is that even English) but the movie is “Homicidal.” William Castle, Solvang … who could ask for more?
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Thursday’s mystery man on the left is Glenn Corbett, famous for first portraying Zefram Cochrane on Star Trek. The movie is Homicidal.
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Thursday – Eugenie Leontovich, Glenn Corbett and Gilbert Green (I think), Snub Pollard and Richard Rust
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James Westerfield, Eugenie Leontovich, Hope Summers, Snub Pollard and Richard Rust in HOMICIDAL.
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HOMICIDAL. Only got it because of Willliam Castle’s photo, because these aren’t the kind of movies I ever watch. Joan Marshall BOTH Tuesday, James Westerfield and Hope Summers uesday, Glenn Corbett and Gibrt Green Wednesday, Snub Pollard and Richard Rust Thursday, and William Castle, Patricia Breslin, Joan Marshall, and Wolfe Barzell tody.
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William Castle, Patricia Breslin and Jean Arliss.
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Where has this movie been hiding? Somewhere between Ventura and Solvang, I guess. As Sylvia E. mentioned, it has that amazing hair, plus plenty of mid-century modern vibe, chrome-heavy cars and a splash of California gothic. Mr. Good Taste and Subtlety Himself, a needlepointing William Castle, offers a personal introduction to his latest masterpiece, with references to hallowed Tinglers and Haunted Hills (wink wink). Don’t know what I enjoyed more, the 45 second “fright break” or the curtain call by “the homicidal maniac.”
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I saw “House on Haunted Hill” and “13 Ghosts” when they came out, though I missed “Zotz!” (a friend had a real “Zotz!” coin!) but I guess this one didn’t play our little town in suburban Illinois. I wonder why.
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Zotz! ???
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Friday – Our needlepoint artist is director William Castle. Distressed woman is Patricia Breslin, the adult version of Monday’s mysterious girl. Last but certainly not least is Joan Marshall (using Jean Arless) as Emily and also as Warren, the adult version of Monday’s OS brother to the mysterious girl. I think those kids only appear in the opening and I haven’t been able to find out anything about them. Hoping that you have.
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Got it! William Castle’s 1961 film Homicidal. A trashy but enjoyable little flock.
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*flick*, not flock!
I need to proofread my comments before I post them.
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Cool title card. Interesting because Fargo used the same needlepoint motif for its promotional poster in 1996. I wonder if that was a deliberate homage, knowing the Coen brothers’ love of film history.
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Good to hear from you! It’s been a while!
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