Shock
In this thriller, psychiatrist Dr. Cross kills his wife and expects to get away with murder, until he discovers that the slaying was observed by a next-door neighbor, Janet Stewart. As Janet attempts to convince her husband of the doctor's dastardly deed, Cross shows up to advise him that Janet is in dire need of some in-depth counseling.
Critics Sentiment
Dr Cross strikes his wife with candlestick during argument about divorce
Elaine convinces Cross they can have Janet declared permanently insane
The film peaks during the murder scene but steadily declines through the middle act as critics found the plotting repetitive and slow-paced.
Critics praised Vincent Price's early starring performance and the promising premise of a psychiatrist covering up murder, but found the execution disappointing. The film starts strong with the witnessed murder but becomes increasingly dull through repetitive plotting scenes, culminating in a widely criticized abrupt ending.
Full cast
Vincent Price
Dr. Richard Cross
Lynn Bari
Nurse Elaine Jordan
Frank Latimore
Lt. Paul Stewart
Anabel Shaw
Mrs. Janet Stewart
Stephen Dunne
Dr. Stevens (as Michael Dunne)
Reed Hadley
District Attorney O'Neill
Renee Carson
Miss Hatfield - Head Nurse
Charles Trowbridge
Dr. Franklin Harvey
Robert Adler
Frank - Male Nurse
Harry Carter
Sanitarium Orderly
Ruth Clifford
Mrs. Margaret Cross
John Davidson
Mr. Edwards
Selmer Jackson
Dr. Blair
Ruth Nelson
Mrs. Margaret Cross (voice)
George E. Stone
Cab Driver
Charles Tannen
Hotel Clerk
Pierre Watkin
Blake - Belmont Arms Hotel Manager
Mary Young
Mrs. Penny
Crew
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