Tormented

Plot

Tom Stewart, a successful jazz pianist, is preparing to marry his fiancée Meg Hubbard on a New England island when his former lover Vi Mason unexpectedly arrives to blackmail him. During a confrontation on a lighthouse, Vi falls to her death when the railing breaks, and Tom decides to conceal the incident rather than report it. As his wedding day approaches, Tom begins experiencing terrifying supernatural phenomena - Vi's severed hand crawls around the island seeking revenge, and her disembodied head appears to haunt him at every turn. The manifestations grow increasingly violent and personal, targeting Tom's relationships with Meg and her sister, while driving him to the brink of madness as his guilt and fear consume him.

Historical Background

Released in 1960, 'Tormented' emerged during a transitional period in American horror cinema, as the industry moved from the monster movies of the 1950s toward the psychological horror that would dominate the 1960s. The year saw Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' revolutionize horror filmmaking, making psychological terror more acceptable to mainstream audiences. 'Tormented' reflects this shift by focusing on guilt and psychological breakdown rather than external monsters, though it retains the B-movie sensibilities and practical effects of the previous decade. The film's themes of repressed guilt and the consequences of immoral behavior resonated with audiences during a time of increasing social conservatism and Cold War anxiety.

Making Of

The production faced numerous challenges due to its limited budget and tight shooting schedule. Director Bert I. Gordon, known for his ability to create impressive effects on minimal resources, employed innovative techniques to bring the supernatural elements to life. The crawling hand effect required multiple attempts to perfect, with the crew spending hours adjusting the wire mechanism to achieve smooth movement across various surfaces. The floating head sequences proved particularly challenging, requiring precise timing between the live-action footage and the projected image. Weather conditions on Catalina Island sometimes delayed exterior shots, forcing the crew to rearrange the shooting schedule frequently. Despite these obstacles, Gordon maintained his reputation for delivering visually interesting films within budget constraints, often working long hours to ensure the special effects met his standards.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Ernest Laszlo utilized the Cinemascope format to create expansive shots of the island setting, contrasting the open landscapes with the claustrophobic horror of the supernatural manifestations. Laszlo employed low-angle shots to emphasize the vulnerability of the characters and high-angle perspectives during the supernatural sequences to create a sense of disorientation. The lighthouse scenes used dramatic lighting and shadow play to enhance the Gothic atmosphere, while the beach sequences utilized natural lighting to create a sense of normalcy that would be disrupted by the supernatural events. The floating head effects required careful matte work and composite photography, which Laszlo handled with considerable skill given the budget constraints.

Innovations

Despite its limited budget, 'Tormented' achieved several notable technical accomplishments in special effects. The crawling hand effect, created using a combination of stop-motion animation and wire work, remains impressive for its ingenuity. The floating head sequences required sophisticated matte photography and composite techniques that were advanced for a B-movie production. The film's use of Cinemascope on a minimal budget demonstrated the industry's move toward wider aspect ratios even in lower-budget productions. The lighthouse miniature work and forced perspective shots effectively created the illusion of height and danger without the expense of full-scale construction. These technical innovations within budget constraints influenced subsequent low-budget horror productions.

Music

The musical score was composed by Albert Glasser, who was known for his work on low-budget science fiction and horror films. Glasser's approach emphasized jazz elements for the piano sequences, reflecting the protagonist's profession, while using dissonant strings and brass for the supernatural moments. The soundtrack effectively contrasts the smooth jazz music Tom plays with the eerie, atonal cues that accompany the ghostly manifestations. Richard Carlson's actual piano performances add authenticity to the musical sequences, creating a believable portrayal of a professional musician. The sound design particularly excels in creating the unsettling sounds of the crawling hand dragging across various surfaces and the ethereal quality of the floating head's voice.

Memorable Scenes

• The iconic opening sequence where Vi Mason falls from the lighthouse, captured with dramatic camera angles and effective use of height to establish the film's central tragedy.
• The first appearance of the crawling hand emerging from the sand on the beach, creating immediate shock and establishing the film's signature supernatural element.
• The scene where the floating head appears in Tom's bedroom, utilizing effective lighting and projection techniques to create a genuinely eerie moment.
• The wedding sequence interrupted by supernatural manifestations, contrasting the joyous occasion with terrifying paranormal activity.
• The final confrontation on the lighthouse where all supernatural elements converge, bringing the story full circle to its tragic beginning.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics were generally dismissive of 'Tormented', with many reviews focusing on its low-budget origins and questioning the effectiveness of its special effects. The New York Times criticized the film's 'predictable plot' and 'unconvincing effects,' while Variety noted that 'the production values are what one would expect from a programmer.' However, some genre publications of the time appreciated the film's atmosphere and Richard Carlson's performance. Modern critics have been more forgiving, recognizing the film as an effective example of its type and praising its creative use of practical effects within budget constraints. The film has gained appreciation in retrospective reviews for its place in horror history and its influence on subsequent supernatural thrillers.

What Audiences Thought

Initial audience response was modest, with the film performing adequately in drive-in theaters and second-run cinemas typical of B-movie releases. Horror fans of the era generally responded positively to the film's supernatural elements and suspenseful sequences, particularly the scenes featuring the crawling hand. Over the decades, the film has developed a dedicated cult following among classic horror enthusiasts, who appreciate its earnest approach to supernatural horror and the charm of its practical effects. The movie's public domain status has helped it find new audiences through various home video releases and television broadcasts, including its memorable appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000, which introduced it to a new generation of viewers.

You Might Also Like