MovieChat Forums > Experiment in Terror (1962) Discussion > The Title

The Title

posted 15 years ago by yousonuva
7 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this clever noir film and enjoyed it. Edwards was a master at timing and with Mancini, everything flowed just as well as his their collaborations in comedy. But...

The title struck me as odd. I kept saying...what is the experiment in the movie? None of the characters used any experiment of any kind. The villain's motive was a common one: to take hostage one's kin in order to get money (although it came after this one, The Friends of Eddie Coyle comes to mind). Then it hit me. The experiment seems nothing to do with anything within the plot but the plot itself. Is the title not pointing to Blake Edward's experiment in the thriller genre? I've looked for anything to confirm that thought and found nothing online. Anyone else see anything or have any info?

Also, I noticed a review commenting on this movie having the best scene shot in a ballpark. I'd counter that, saying it seemed to be a ripoff from Kurosawa's Stray Dog. The end chase of the badguy even seems close to the end of Stray Dog. A great and powerful film.

[–] vanityfair_713 14 years ago

I was wondering the same thing, and though I can't confirm anything, I'd say you're on to something.

Personally, I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me.

[–] MTil77 14 years ago

I also agree with that. I like the concept of Blake Edwards refering to himself.

[–] tdl797 13 years ago

I imagine that the title probably hurt the movie. When I hear that title I picture a B-movie with some weird scientist with a secret lab where he is trying to breed a man-bear-pig or something.

[–] FourKingTwenty 13 years ago

I don't think it has anything to do with Edwards "experimenting" in the thriller genre. At this time in his career, he had mostly worked on TV shows like "Mr. Lucky" and "Peter Gunn." This sort of fits in with those noir-ish crime dramas.

[–] lottieopal 12 years ago

Experiment in Terror is based on the novel Operation Terror. It was written by The Gordons, married authors who wrote several thrillers in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

[–] dark_frances 12 years ago

Yeah it seems to me too that the title has a meta-narrative vibe. Either referring to the Author, or simply to us, the viewers, who allow ourselves to take part in the terrifying experience of the main character (we agree to take part to an experiment in terror). Then again, maybe the title referred to the main character herself, to whom the experience was, fortunately, just a taste of terror (since it all ended up well), an exercise to check her reactions and feelings under duress. And then again, maybe the title was simply designed as an intriguing bait for something that must have been a B movie at the time, meant to lure in the audience, like a flickering neon sign on a dark street...

there's a highway that is curling up like smoke above her shoulder

[–] WarpedRecord 11 years ago

Very good explanation. The title seemed too academic to me and a bit misleading, but I got past it when I watched the film.