Hysteria

Hammer studios are best known for their campy horror efforts such as the Frankenstein and Dracula series', but in the mid-sixties they also produced a number of satisfying little thrillers (mostly directed by Freddie Francis) and this film belongs to that side of the studio's output. The film is not as appealing as Francis' earlier Paranoiac, but Hysteria works primarily because of the swinging sixties atmosphere and the mysterious plot, which is played to the maximum and finishes with a great twisted climax. It's amazing that this film was produced by Hammer studios, as it feels much more like a Hitchcockian mystery/film noir than anything else that the studio produced. The plot follows an American who wakes up in an English hospital, unable to recall what has happened to him and how he got there. All we know about the man is that he was involved in a car accident, and he has a mysterious benefactor who's paying all of his hospital bills and has paid for a penthouse suite for him to stay in upon his release. His only real link to his past is a newspaper cut-out of a mysterious French model...

It's obvious that this film was an attempt to mimic the successful American mystery movies of the sixties. Robert Webber's suave performance isn't a world away from Cary Grant, while Lelia Goldoni does her best Audrey Hepburn impression, and actually does rather well with it. Hammer films are distinctly English, but despite being set in the home nation; this one feels more like an American film overall. Of course, the lead character's accent helps this greatly. The film may be a disappointment to die-hard Hammer fans who prefer the colourful imagery of their most successful horror films, but Hysteria is good because it shows that the studio have some diversity. Freddie Francis was certainly one of Hammer's most capable directors, and in his hands this story is allowed to show some characterisation and present a good mystery. Hysteria keeps its audience on the edge of their seat throughout, and manages to deliver just the right amount of humour to be funny, without taking anything away from the mystery. The conclusion is well worked and makes sense, and overall; although this isn't a classic Hammer film, it's certainly a very good one!

Robert Webber is "Christopher Smith," an amnesiac accused of "Hysteria" in this 1965 low budget film directed by Freddie Francis, known mostly for his fine cinematography work. An American wakes up with amnesia in a British hospital after a car accident in which the driver was killed. After working with a psychiatrist (Anthony Newlands) on staff at the hospital, he's released, the doctor unable to do any more for him to regain his memory. His hospital bills have been paid by an unknown benefactor who pays in postal drafts, and this same benefactor has provided him with a place to live. It turns out to be the penthouse of a high-rise. As he tries to sleep, he hears the people next door having terrible fights... except there isn't anyone next door. He also finds a bloody knife in his apartment.

The only clue Chris has to his identity is a magazine photo of a model that was found in the car. He hires a detective (Maurice Denham) to find out who paid his hospital bills and who the woman is but also embarks on his own investigation. He tracks down the photographer of the photo, who tells him the woman is dead from multiple stab wounds. Then he sees the woman drive by him in a car, and she finally shows up at his apartment. She's the wife of the driver and Chris' benefactor. She sets out to help him find out what happened and who he is.

Though this is a low-budget film with very little in the way of production values, it is a completely absorbing film with some fascinating twists and turns.

The actors are all good. Robert Webber was a good-looking character actor who died of Lou Gehrig's disease in 1989 and is probably best-remembered now for playing Cybill Shepherd's father on Moonlighting, though he had a very prolific career. He's very effective in the lead. Maurice Denham is appropriately down and out looking as the detective, and Leila Goldoni is quite beautiful as the model.

Highly recommended for a great story.

Hammer studios gained fame and fortune by producing tons of eerie horror films, filled with monsters, madmen or classic gothic influences. In short, films high on adrenalin and action. Hysteria is one of their least known films just because it's the exact opposite. It's a mysterious, slow-moving thriller that requires a little more thinking and involvement from the viewer. An American (Robert Webber, known from cinema classics like `12 Angry Men' and `Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia') wakes up in a British hospital after a car-accident. He suffers from a bad case of amnesia and he has to start digging into his own past and personality. The only thing he was carrying at the time of the accident was a picture of a stunningly beautiful, mysterious girl! Also, someone is paying for his hospital bills and arranged an apartment for him but he has no idea who that is.

Hysteria contains a few nice and unpredictable twists and the screenplay is overall solid and realistic. Alfred Hitchcock influences are never far away. Jimmy Sangster, who delivered many decent scripts for Hammer productions in his career, wrote the film and co-produced. There's a compelling atmosphere to detect and the cheap black and white photography helps increasing the suspense. Too bad about the constant guiding Jazz music which isn't really appropriate for this type of film. Judging by modern standards, the film is now pretty dated and heavily flawed, but with the right state of mind, you'll be enjoying this old-fashioned, low budgeted film. Freddie Francis is a professional director, not afraid to bring a little diversity in his career. He directed famous Hammer stories (Dracula has Risen from the Grave, the Creeping Flesh) as well as modest, more story driven tales like this one but also `Paranoiac' and `Nightmare'. Good acting as well! Robert Webber is very convincing and the gorgeous beauty Lelia Goldina (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) portrays a terrific muse. Recommended!

Always enjoy the acting of Robert Webber, (Chris Smith),"Twelve Angry Men" who gets himself in a car accident and is unable to remember anything about himself or where he came from. Chris is an American in England and finds himself in a hospital being treated by a British Doctor, named Dr. Keller, (Anthony Newlands). Dr. Keller does everything he can for Chris and informs Chris he has a penthouse to go to and can live there until he gets well with all expenses paid by the person who caused the accident. Chris enjoys his new surroundings, but he has no one to visit him except his nurse who is a good looker and she has fallen in love with Chris, which he is not aware of. The story has many twists and turns and Chris begins to think he is crazy or has lost his mind. Gina McConnell, (Jennifer Jayne) plays the sexy nurse and there is another gal who keeps Chris quite busy. Enjoy.

This is by no means an esoteric, deeply psychological thriller, but entertain it does, and well at that. Not an unfamiliar plot thesis here but it is a cleverly laid out amnesia story and suitably paced melodrama with a lot of the usual mid 60's ambiance, including a nicely orchestrated jazz score, (from Don Banks & co.), which ever so deftly weaves in and out of a given scene with subtle acuity. Special kudos to the tenor sax player in the orchestra for his gorgeous musical renderings.

It was nice to see the "Hammer" people opt for Robert Webber as the lead here, something he rarely got a chance to do stateside. The other cast members were more than competent in fulfilling the requirements of their respective roles which also helped make for a nice 90 minute flashback to an earlier time. The story itself takes a twist or two in the plot development to keep things interesting.

Thanks go to TCM for airing films like this which would probably never be shown anywhere else.