HYSTERIA

UK, 1965, 85 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Webber, Anthony Newlands, Jennifer Jayne, Maurice Denham, Lelia Goldoni.
Directed by Freddie Francis.

Hysteria is a British thriller from the mid-sixties. Produced at Hammer Studios, the home of horror movies of the sixties, the film was written by Jimmy Sangster who wrote and directed a number of horror films at the studios. It was directed by Freddie Francis, a former cinematographer who moved into the horror field and also into psychological horror thrillers in the mid-sixties such as Paranoiac, The Psychopath. This is quite effective melodrama about hysteria.

1. The title appropriate for this film? chosen by the producers?

2. Was this a satisfying thriller? What special features of the thriller did it use?

3. How well did it use tricks and twists? Did it give sufficient clues for the audience to understand the ending? Did it confirm audience suspicions?

4. A sympathetic hero? First response to him? Leaving the hospital? Did audiences have sympathy with him? If they did not what effect did the rest of the film have? His relationship with Gena? His relationship with Hemmings? His trying to understand his past? The film's use of hallucinations, especially with Denise? The puzzle about the penthouse and the sounds? How mysterious was Doctor Keller? Surprised when Smith remembered so much and had not told them? Was this given in his revisiting the scene of the accident with Denise? Did the memories he had engage any more sympathy for Smith, or show him as rather a parasite? Could audiences sympathize with him as a victim of deceit led into a trap? Audiences glad when he switched the trap?

5. How did the film keep cinematic interest in the hallucinations? the tricks?

6. How convincing a villainness was Denise? Her strange appearances? As an attractive person? Sympathetic to Smith? Callous and then overreaching herself?

7. How did Hemmings add a bit of comedy to the film? His eluding Smith and his punching? His discovery of the truth?

8. Was Gena's role developed well enough to be convincing for the film? Her relationship with Dr Keller? Keller’s using the bodies of his wife and Gena?

9. Why do films like this interest audiences and appeal to them? The puzzle, danger, emotions?