The Crazy
Kill
(ITC Movie title "Fear Is Spreading")
Original UK transmission: 3rd May 1975
Original US transmission: 25th February 1975
WRITTEN BY: Dennis Spooner based on a story by Brian Clemens
DIRECTED BY: Dennis Vance
PRODUCED BY: Ian Fordyce
MAIN CAST: Denholm Elliot (Dr Frank Henson), Anthony Valentine
(Garard), Claire Nielson (Hilary), Tandy Cronyn (Tracy Loxton),
Alan Browning (Supt. Brook), Juan Moreno (Filton), David
Horovitch (Tredgett), Dennis Chinnery (Sergeant), Ken Parry (Taxi
Driver), Brian Haines (Inspector), Mark Wing-Davey (Cater)
Teaser
Sequence
A shot of a large country
house switches to an interior view as the camera pans across a
room adorned with a multitude of framed posters. Upstairs, a
woman runs distraught from a bedroom and down to the living room
where she stands weeping. Turning, she sees a man standing behind
her and screams as he slaps her forcefully across the face. Then,
going to her side, the man re-assures her gently "Oh my poor
darling...my poor neurotic darling..."
Plot
Summary
Prestigious specialist Frank
Henson and his wife Hillary become held hostage in their country
home when Henson opens the door to escaped convict Garard and his
sidekick Filton. Garard, a notorious killer, agrees not to harm
the couple as long as they co-operate, but then an unwanted guest
in the form of journalist Tracy Loxton arrives. Loxton claims she
had made an appointment to see the Henson's collection of poster
art weeks beforehand and, despite the best efforts of the doctor,
insists on seeing the house. An elaborate deception then ensues,
with the unbalanced Garard reluctantly playing the part of the
Henson's butler while they wait for the girl to leave. Yet Garard
is perhaps not the only killer present in the house.
Comments
Dennis Spooner fleshed out this reasonably tense instalment that
packs plenty of punch initially but comes to an ignominious end
with one of the daftest endings ever. Anthony Valentine's
memorable performance as the megalomaniac Garard is still
definitely worth seeing however. Veteran Denholm Elliot also
lends the production some class, whilst Juan Moreno had
previously appeared as Mad Nick in Season One's A
Place To Die.
NOTE: The storyline was penned by Brian Clemens, a credit which is often overlooked.
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