Psychic Killer (1975)

Disapointment

best movie i've ever seen.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

"Psychic Killer (1975)" its not that bad, its actually a pretty fun and enjoyable B movie. When it comes to 70s low budget exploitation is hard to find one that actually has some decent elements, and "Psychic Killer" certainly has some notable moments in the middle of all its absurdity.Its decently made and its not boring (its mostly entertaining) even if it has some scenes that are quite dull. It delivers the usual dose of gore and nudity that these movies are known for and it does it in a very amusing way.With an interesting plot, halfway decent scenes and a good pace, "Psychic Killer" stands out from the average 70's schlock.

"Psychic Killer" of 1975 is a highly enjoyable and underrated little flick that should appeal to all my fellow fans of 70s low-budget Horror. This is, of course, pure camp fun, and in no way essential or great, but the ridiculously low rating of 2.6/10 is completely unjustified. This has a somewhat corny and yet quite original storyline. Arnold Masters (Jim Hutton) is wrongfully accused of a murder and put in a mental institution. When the real killer is found, Arnold gets released, vowing revenge on those he holds responsible for his arrest and the death of his mother, who died while he was locked up. Arnold has learned some things about paranormal phenomena like astral projection from a fellow inmate, and he is willing to use his new psychic powers for his revenge... The plot is corny, of course, but it is also great fun. The actors are often overacting, but not in a bad way. On the contrary, the performances were one of the film's best qualities, in my opinion. Hutton fits in the role of Arnold very well and the cast furthermore includes actors such Neville Brand ("Eaten Alive"), Neremiah Persoff ("The Harder They Fall"), Paul Burke ("Daddy's Gone A-Hunting") and, most memorably, Julie Adams ("Creature From The Black Lagoon"), who was married to director Ray Danton. The murders are quite bizarre and fun to watch but, with one exception, not really bloody. The bloody one is quite well-made, especially regarding the obviously minimal budget. Even though often illogical, the film is very imaginatively executed, and occasionally quite humorous. Also, the low budget does in no one lessen this one. If anything it increases the film's cult-factor. Overall, "Psychic Killer" is no masterpiece, but it is definitely better than its reputation. Overall, this is a camp and original little flick that is highly entertaining and recommendable to all fans of low-budget Horror.

The Psychic Killer begins with a bizarre on screen quote, with an accompanying narration, "Why should any phenomenon be assumed impossible? The universe begins to look more and more like a great thought, than a great machine" Physicist Sir James Jean as quoted in "Time Magazine". No, I have no idea what it means either. Arnold Masters (Jim Hutton) is accused of killing the Doctor who refused to treat his mothers brain tumour. He's been committed to an insane asylum and is currently under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Laura Scott (Julie Adams). While there Arnold befriends another inmate named Emilio (Stack Pierce) who gives Arnold the secret to 'out of body travel' using a magical amulet. All of a sudden Arnold is cleared of murder, as the real murderer conveniently turned himself into the police and confessed. Arnold is again a free man. He arrives back at his old house to discover it in a state of disrepair. Angered by the injustices he has suffered he decides to use the magical amulet for the purpose of avenging himself on the people he thinks has done him harm. First Masters targets Doctor Paul Taylor (Whitt Bissell) who testified at Masters trial and helped send him down. Then Masters goes after Nurse Burnson (Mary Charlotte Wilcox as Mary Wilcox) who he thinks neglected his mother and was partly responsible for her death. Lieutenant Jeff Morgan (Paul Burke) and his assistant Danny Anderson (Aldo Ray) are on the case. They are totally baffled as there is no logical explanation for the deaths which are very suspicious. Morgan finds that Masters is a common link between the victims and asks Dr. Scott to help him out. They visit Dr. Gubner (Nehemiah Persoff) for further help but they find what he has to say hard to believe. Will Morgan get his man? Will he get to sleep with sexy psychiatrist Scott? How many more people have to die before Masters is avenged? Co-written and directed by Raymond Danton I thought this was a decent horror film, nothing outstanding but certainly very watchable. Acting is solid among the veteran cast that also includes Neville Brand as the wonderfully named bad tempered butcher Mr. Lemonowski, and associate producer and co-writer Greydon Clarke as a cop who takes dive off a cliff. The film doesn't feature much in the way of violence or gore, a minced hand, crushed arm and a hacked up corpse on a meat hook is about as explicit as it gets. The death scenes are disappointingly tame, generally speaking. There is some nudity, Nurse Burnson has a nice long shower scene and we get to see her wash her legs and breasts, you know the sort of thing. Music, editing and photography are fine. The script by Danton, Clarke and Mike Angel is well paced and generally kept my interest throughout. I also have to mention the downbeat and somewhat unexpected ending, which I liked. Definitely worth a watch.

Although the plot to the movie is far fetched, I really enjoyed the diversity in actor Jim Hutton. I've never seen him like this before & I enjoyed what I saw. A must for all horror fans & Jim Hutton fans alike!