Joan Crawford (Berserk) gives an astonishing performance in 'Strait-Jacket', a shocking psychological thriller from director William Castle (The Tingler) which also stars Diane Baker (Marnie), and Leif Erickson (The Lady Gambles). Lucy Harbin (Crawford) spent twenty years in a psychiatric hospital after decapitating her husband and his lover with an axe - an act witnessed by her young daughter, Carol (Baker). On her release, Lucy moves in with Carol and her husband Bill (Erickson), but a series of horrific axe murders suggest she may not be entirely cured... Scripted by Robert Bloch (Psycho), and infused with macabre humour, 'Strait-Jacket' is one of William Castle's best-loved films.
Audio commentary with film historians Lee Gambin and Emma Westwood
Mirror Images (2018, 28 mins): appreciation by Jonathan Rigby, author of 'American Gothic: Sixty Years of Horror Cinema'
Joan Had Me Fired (2018, 7 mins): interview with actor Anne Helm
On the Road with Joan Crawford (2018, 7mins): interview with publicist Richard Kahn
Battle-Axe: The Making of 'Strait-Jacket' (2007, 15 mins): documentary featuring interviews with actor Diane Baker and screenwriter Robert Bloch
How to Plan a Movie Murder (1964, 5 mins): a short promotional film featuring star Joan Crawford, screenwriter. Robert Bloch, and director William Castle
Joan Crawford Wardrobe Tests (1964, 4 mins)
Joan Crawford Axe Test (1964, 1 min)
Super 8 version: original cut-down home cinema presentation, with unique narration
We use cookies to help you navigate our website and to keep track of our promotional efforts. Some cookies are necessary for the site to operate normally while others are optional. To find out what cookies we are using please visit Cookies Policy.