Hysteria

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!

Hysteria concluded the trilogy of psychological thrillers that Freddie Francis directed for Hammer. The series began with Paranoiac (1963) and Nightmare (1964). The plot concerns an American amnesia victim Chris Smith (Robert Webber), whom is being used as a tool by the ruthless Dr Keller (Anthony Newlands) and his beautiful mistress (Lelia Goldoni). Between them they plan to frame Chris for the murder of Keller's wife, but their clever plan proves to be their own outdoing. In 1965, it was poorly received by critics and the public, but it's a gripping thriller and Freddie Francis directs the somewhat far fetched script by Jimmy Sangster with pace, building it neatly to it's climax. The black and white Cinematography by John Wilcox manages some decent compositions of a gray and dank 1960's London. The only criticism is the somewhat unsuitable music score by Don Banks, which is too jazzy for this type of film.

I really liked this film, lots of suspense with an interesting story line full of twists and turns as the plot unfolds.

I quickly recorded this on late night TV in the UK without knowing anything about it just because i seen it listed as a hammer film and seen it stared Robert Webber who i knew from "12 Angry Men". I thought that would make a interesting combination but when you think of the kind of films that Hammer are more well known for this dose`nt quite fit in now that i`ve seen it. But i`m glad i did record it.

What i like about it is Robert Webber seems to be going mad but is he? is he going mad or are we being made to think he is going mad? more to the point is someone trying to make him think he is mad ..... try and find a copy and find out, fans of psychological mysteries will love this 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.

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.