ags123 This taut little suspense film is unlike anything else to emerge from Hammer Studios. No garish colors or scary monsters. It's "small" in the sense there are only a handful of characters and it's photographed in moody black and white (by none other than Douglas Slocombe!). There are enough plot twists and red herrings to keep viewers on edge. And for visual appeal, it's all played out against a luxurious home on the French Riviera. While I find Ann Todd's and Ronald Lewis's performances spot on, I'm less enthusiastic about Susan Strasberg in the leading role. She's stiff and whiny and less likable than the others. Hammer stalwart Christopher Lee has a small, but effective role. It's all very entertaining right to the end.

JohnHowardReid Executive producer: Michael Carreras Producer: Jimmy Sangster. Copyright 1 September 1961 by Hammer Film Productions. Released through Columbia Pictures. New York opening simultaneously at the Forum and the Fine Arts: 22 August 1961. U.S. release: 22 August 1961. U.K. release: 4 June 1961. Australian release: 2 March 1962. Sydney opening at the Victory. 7,337 feet. 82 minutes. (Available on a 78-minutes Sony DVD).SYNOPSIS: Paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, beautiful young Penny Appleby visits her father's French Riviera villa for the first time since his second marriage; she meets her stepmother, Jane, Doctor Gerrard, her father's friend, and Bob, her father's chauffeur. Penny is told her father is away on business, but she is terrorized by the mysterious reappearance, in various places in the villa, of his dead body. Jane and Doctor Gerrard try to persuade Penny she is having hallucinations.NOTES: Although it passed with little critical comment and only predictably moderate audience interest on first release in Britain and Australia, "Scream of Fear" was later to develop a considerable cult following, not only in London but worldwide. COMMENT: I'm glad I saw this one on first release. Thoroughly enjoyed it too. High-voltage, edge-of-the-seat suspense, expertly delivered by an ingeniously tension-filled script, sharp, atmospheric direction, and a group of talented players headed by Susan Strasberg and Ann Todd. True, Christopher Lee's fans will be disappointed. He has a nothing role. But Fred Johnson! Absolutely unforgettable — the role of a death-time! I liked Sangster's script. Very neatly constructed, packed with nightmarish incident, plenty of plot twists and shocks, yet believably realistic, thanks to solid characterization and skillful dialogue.Seth Holt's highly imaginative direction, with its phenomenally sharp editing, not only built up the atmosphere to breaking point, but never muffed a single opportunity to hit the viewer right between the eyes. It came as no surprise to find — when Holt was adopted by the auteurists and the corduroy set — that his background was in editing, Scream/Taste of Fear being only his second film as director. (A promising career curtailed by ill-health. He died halfway through shooting "Blood from the Mummy's Tomb" in 1971.)

christopher-underwood I thought I had seen all of the Hammer horrors but this was my first viewing of this little gem. I suppose it is a suspense thriller rather than horror but certainly has it's moments and even made me jump from my seat at one point. With a nod to Les Diaboliques, which was clearly an influence and inevitably to Hitchcock, who's own Psycho came out the same year and probably helped bury this film, this is nevertheless a most impressive black and white gem. Susan Strasberg and Ann Todd are excellent, helped by the largely good dialogue, but I was not always happy with Ronald Lewis and very disappointed with the Christopher Lee cameo, but then was he ever quite a s good as he thought he was?! Sacrilege, I know but sometimes I do wonder about his performances and to be honest if he couldn't do a convincing French accent then don't bother. Anyway, my personal gripe over, the film is still highly recommended.

dougdoepke Considering the movie is essentially a single set, 4 actors, and a "dead man", it's a heck-uva good little thriller. Credit should go to writer Sangster, director Holt, and 4 excellent performances, especially Strasberg's vulnerable young woman. Okay, the whole story is pretty contrived with a number of unexpected twists, but the measure of a thriller is how well you're glued to your seat, and this one uses epoxy.So, what's up with Penny's (Strasberg) dad. He keeps turning up in odd places like the bottom of a pool. For a guy who looks dead, he sure gets around. And what's with step-mom Jane (Todd) always fussing around in the background, along with her friend the doctor. If I were Penny, I wouldn't let Christopher Lee's doc anywhere near my neck. Good thing Penny has the handsome chauffeur Bob (Lewis) on her side, because that wheelchair keeps going off- track. For some reason, the movie, especially the rancid pool, kept reminding me of the French classic Les Diabolique (1954). I'm rather curious, however, about actor Ronald Lewis, a strong presence, and perhaps the only actor of the period to appear in a male bikini. He was a suicide at a relatively young age, suggesting a backstory of some kind—too bad IMDb couldn't provide more. Anyway, the movie manages to prove that sunny new mansions can be just as creepy as old dark ones, and that the ritzy French Riviera may not be a good place to vacation, especially if you're trying to get an ocean view from the cliffs.