The Couch (film)

The Couch is a 1962 American psychological horror film directed by Owen Crump from a screenplay by Robert Bloch and a story by Blake Edwards and Owen Crump. The film stars Grant Williams, Shirley Knight, and Onslow Stevens.[1][2] The film was released by Warner Bros. on February 21, 1962.

The Couch
Theatrical release poster
Directed byOwen Crump
Produced byOwen Crump
Screenplay byRobert Bloch
Story byBlake Edwards
Owen Crump
StarringGrant Williams
Shirley Knight
Onslow Stevens
William Leslie
Anne Helm
Simon Scott
Music byFrank Perkins
CinematographyHarold E. Stine
Edited byLeo H. Shreve
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • February 21, 1962 (1962-02-21)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Following a 2-year prison term for rape, young Charles Campbell is paroled on condition that he undergo daily psychiatric treatment. Maintaining a calm appearance, he conceals both his hatred of Dr. Janz, who represents all father-like authority, and his dislike of the analyst's couch, the symbol of his guilt. One day Campbell phones the police and announces that a murder will be committed at 7 o'clock. A few minutes before the hour he stabs a stranger with an icepick and then reports to Dr. Janz for his daily session. Several days later he commits another murder in the same manner. Eventually Campbell decides that Dr. Janz will be his next victim. After stabbing the doctor in a crowded passageway, Campbell goes to Janz's office and attempts to seduce his niece, Terry. They are interrupted by a phone call notifying Terry that her uncle is alive but unconscious in a hospital. Campbell races there, conceals his identity by wearing an operating gown and mask, and enters the recovery room in which Dr. Janz is lying. Before the deranged killer can complete his third murder, however, he is apprehended by the police.

Cast

See also

References
  1. Randall D. Larson Films Into Books: An Analytical Bibliography of Film 1995 p73-74 "Realizing that the action sequences were interspersed with lengthy stretches of therapy sessions, I decided to add another visual element - the subjective hallucinations of the murderer. These were approved by Owen Crump and I wrote them into the script — only to have them deleted when the film was shot for reasons of economy... When I was asked to novelize my screenplay I put back my fantasy-and-hallucination material and... explored the murderer's mind more deeply... [1] As a result, The Couch [novel] is very much along the lines of Bloch' s subjective psychological thrillers, The Scarf and Psycho."
  2. Psychotherapists on Film, 1899-1999: A Worldwide Guide 0786412976 John Flowers, Paul Frizler - 2004 "The Couch. 1962, Warner Brothers, U.S., 100 min. Director: Owen Crump. Screenplay: Blake Edwards. Based on a story by Robert Bloch, Owen Crump. Cast: Grant Williams, Charles Campbell, Shirley Knight, Terry, Onslow Stevens, Dr. Janz, ."
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