This is another of Hammer’s psychodramas that was originally released as the second half of a double bill. In 1969 it was featured with one of the company’s late Dracula pictures (TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA). It has been nearly impossible to see since then until this 2010 DVD-R release from Warner Archive. What you get to see in this film is something that every Hammer fan already knows but others don’t. In addition to their celebrated horror films, they also made some really fine suspense thrillers and so-called psychodramas.
After the success of PSYCHO, Hammer made TASTE/SCREAM OF FEAR, PARANOIAC, MANIAC, and HYSTERIA (the so-called GASLIGHT films because they involve trying to drive someone insane) in the early 1960s. Then came FANATIC/DIE! DIE! MY DARLING in 1965 which was in color and had American star power in Tallulah Bankhead. Also in the cast was an up and coming American actress named Stefanie Powers who had already made a few films like Blake Edwards’ EXPERIMENT IN TERROR (1962). She would later star in a TV spinoff called THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. (1966), become involved with actor William Holden, and share his passion for wildlife preservation. She must have also liked her Hammer experience because she came back 4 years later to do CRESCENDO.
As often happened when Hammer worked within this genre, the storylines were nothing new. What made these films work and fun to watch were the committed performances and just how well put together the movies were. CRESCENDO is no exception and, in fact, it is so well crafted that it is a joy to behold. Director Alan Gibson, who would later make the execrable DRACULA A.D. 1972 and the much better SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA (1974), got everything right this time around. Although studio bound, the set is impressive and the camerawork extremely imaginative within the confines of that set.
James Olson, a bland but effective actor, does quite well as the paralyzed male lead. Strong support comes from Jane Lapotaire, Joss Ackland, and Margaretta Scott as the mother with a secret. However the movie belongs to Stephanie Powers. Just a few years after working with John Wayne in McCLINTOCK (1963) and 10 years away from HART TO HART, she does a remarkable job as the principal lead. Her line delivery, her reactions, her thought processes all register in a believable way that keep us following her every step. I was surprised at how good she was and how much she made me enjoy this movie along with the other details I already mentioned. Although there are no extras, the picture quality on this DVD-R is superb.
The Capsule Critic 