ANATOMY OF A PSYCHO (1961)
Directed By Boris Petroff
Brentwood DVD
Reviewed 07.28.05
Review by Joseph A. Ziemba

THE FILM
Ok, let’s speculate.

Did Edward D. Wood, Jr. have anything to do with the production of this motion picture? Optimists claim that Wood may have had a hand in the collaborative screenplay under the name “Larry Lee.” There certainly are a few touches that reek of Ed’s influence (Plan 9 music cues, stock footage, a couple of odd dialogue instances), but it could easily be argued as pure coincidence. Adding to the suspense, director Boris Petroff also helmed The Unearthly, starring Tor Johnson as “Lobo,” a character held over from Wood’s masterpieces. Well, whatever. For what it’s worth, Anatomy Of A Psycho is an enveloping little pot-boiler on its own, with or without Wood’s involvement. So just for trix, let’s assume the most exciting preference: we have here an unknown Ed Wood juvie-obscurity. Well, what are you waiting for?

Those dirty no-good teens. Chet Marco’s brother, Dean, is set to be executed for a murder he may or may not have committed. Dean raised his brother Chet, as well as their sister Patty, for some undisclosed reason. As the clock strikes midnight, Dean is executed, sending Chet on a blinding rampage for revenge against any and everyone that wrongly sent Dean to the gasser. Chet, played by Darrell Howe, does his very best poor man’s Jimmy Dean schtick as he and the gang raise hell. Waters are tested with a little burlap-hooded beating and soon, our boys graduate to setting houses on fire, all in the name of vengeance. Soon, it becomes apparent that Chet’s getting a little TOO nuts and Patty reveals that she’ll be marrying Mickey, whose father holds a secret relating to Dean’s conviction. Only karate choppin’ juvies and tough-nosed cops know what’s to come...Will Chet make it out alive? Make a beeline to Moe’s Shack for the unexpected conclusion.

Given that juvenile delinquent films are a dime a dozen, I was quite pleased with Anatomy. The film has a prevalent feeling of emptiness that genuinely works in its favor -- the sets are extremely sparse, most of the scene set-ups are reminiscent of a junior college play, and there’s a depressing overtone that runs throughout. Given the context, I found the leads surprisingly endearing; I was actually getting into the story that was unfolding, despite the cheap look of the film. Ed Wood or not, that’s definitely a good thing.

AUDIO AND VIDEO
Print: so-so. Sound: awful. That’s about the size of it. The print was clean for the most part, but resembles a duped VHS tape picture-wise. There was also a video blip at thirty-five minutes. The sound was extremely muffled and bass heavy, forcing me to don headphones for maximum dialogue comprehension.

EXTRAS
Anatomy Of A Psycho appears as part of Brentwood’s “Psychos” 4 movie set. Also included is the fantastic The Sadist (with Arch Hall, Jr.), The Killing Kind, and Dwain Esper’s Maniac from 1934.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Given the low price and additional films, you’d be wise to pick this set up for Anatomy Of A Psycho. This film is tatty, dirty, and easily consumed...just like Mr. Wood’s favorite brand of scotch.

"Hood"lums! Bwa ha!


Smell the ink


Mean ol' Chester