Experiment in Terror
Experiment in Terror

Experiment in Terror

1962Movie123 minEnglish

A man with an asthmatic voice telephones and assaults clerk Kelly Sherwood at home and coerces her into helping him steal a large sum from her bank.

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Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Director: Blake EdwardsGenres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Film-Noir

Plot Summary

A bank teller named Kelly Sheridan begins receiving anonymous threats from a mysterious criminal known only as 'Red'. The gangster blackmails her into helping him embezzle money from her bank, threatening her and her younger sister's lives if she refuses. As the situation escalates, Kelly finds herself caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the increasingly menacing Red, with a determined FBI agent trying to protect her and uncover the perpetrator's identity.

Critical Reception

Experiment in Terror was generally well-received by critics upon its release, with particular praise for its suspenseful atmosphere, Blake Edwards' direction, and the performances of Glenn Ford and Lee Remick. The film is often considered a sophisticated and stylish thriller that effectively blends elements of film noir with suspense. While some found its pacing deliberate, the overall consensus highlighted its tension-building and moody visual style.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its suspenseful narrative and atmospheric direction.
  • Lee Remick's performance as the threatened protagonist was highlighted.
  • The film effectively captures a sense of dread and mounting tension.

Google audience: Google user reviews are not readily available for this older film, but contemporary reception generally praised its suspense and style.

Fun Fact

The distinctive theme song, 'Two for the Bomp', was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer and became a minor hit. The film also marked a departure for director Blake Edwards, known more for comedies like 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'The Pink Panther' series.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Things take rather a menacing turn for bank clerk "Kelly" (Lee Remick) when she is held by the scruff of the neck, in the dark, by a mysterious intruder. He claims he will not hurt her so long as she does what she is told - and that involve...
John Chard

John Chard

Operation Terror. Experiment in Terror is directed by Blake Edwards and adapted to screenplay by Mildred and Gordon Gordon from their own novel called Operation Terror. It stars Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, Stefanie Powers and Ross Martin. Mu...