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The Haunted Strangler
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Wikipedia article
'The Haunted Strangler' (also known as 'Grip of the Strangler' and originally titled 'The Judas Hole') is a 1958 British horror film directed by Robert Day. It was adapted from "Stranglehold", a story which screenwriter Jan Read had written specially for Boris Karloff, and was shot back to back with producer Richard Gordon's 'Fiend Without a Face', with both later being released as a double feature by MGM.Stephen Jacobs, 'Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster', Tomahawk Press 2011, p. 410-412
Plot
In Victorian era-London, Edward Styles is accused of being the notorious Haymarket Strangler, the brutal killer of five women. He is tried and executed for these crimes.
Twenty years later, James Rankin (Boris Karloff), a novelist and social reformer, launches an investigation to prove that Styles was innocent. His search for clues leads him to the sleazy Judas Hole music hall, where the Strangler picked his victims from the can-can dancers and loose women. Styles then goes to Newgate Prison cemetery, where Styles was buried and disinters his body. When the killings start again, Rankin's theory seems to be vindicated. The killer's spirit has possessed Rankin, however, and is forcing him to commit these crimes.
Cast
* Boris Karloff as James Rankin
* Jean Kent as Cora Seth
* Elizabeth Allan as Barbara Rankin
* Anthony Dawson as Superintendent Burk
* Vera Day as Pearl
* Tim Turner as Dr. Kenneth McColl
* Diane Aubrey as Lily Rankin
* Max Brimmell as Newgate Prison Turnkey
* Leslie Perrins as Newgate Prison Governor
* Jessica Cairns as Asylum Maid
* Dorothy Gordon as Hannah
* Desmond Roberts as Dr. Johnson
* Michael Atkinson as Edward Style
* Peggy Anne Clifford as Kate
Production
The film was originally going to be called 'Stranglehold' and was written by Jan Read, a friend of Boris Karloff's. He gave the script to producer Richard Gordon, who was looking to make a horror movie in the U.K. Gordon set up Amalgamated Productions with Charles Vetters and had started providing U.S. funding and talent for eight pictures shot in Britain.
Amalgamated went into partnership with British producer John Croydon and negotiated a deal with distributor Eros Films who agreed to guarantee 70% of the film's budget after delivery of the final product. The remaining 30% of the budget was provided by the National Film Finance Corporation.John Hamilton, 'The British Independent Horror Film 195170', Hemlock Books 2013, p. 29-34
The agreement with Eros was conditional on Amalgamated providing a second film, so Gordon arranged to make 'Fiend Without a Face' back to back with a different cast and director. MGM picked up both films for release. Gordon later estimated the cost of the two movies together was approximately 80,000 exclusive of the costs of imported American stars.
Read's script was rewritten by John Croydon, who brought in the idea of making the killer a Jack the Ripper-style murderer and having the transformation be physical (in the original draft, Rankin was only possessed by the killer's spirit).
The film was shot in Walton Studios in Surrey. Karloff was paid $27,500 for four weeks, with an option to make a second film for Amalgamated.Tom Weaver, 'The Horror Hits of Richard Gordon', Bear Manor Media 2011, p. 26-40
Executive producer Richard Gordon and interviewer Tom Weaver talk about the making of 'The Haunted Strangler' on the audio commentary of the Criterion DVD, available as part of the 2007 box set 'Monsters and Madmen'.
Reception
According to MGM records, this film and 'Fiend Without a Face' together earned $350,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $300,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit to the studio of $160,000.
See also
* Boris Karloff filmography
References
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