I Saw What You Did

Irresistible premise (which could easily be adapted to today's technology) is well-executed in this tense if overextended thriller. William Castle throws you a little off at the start with playful music and young girls as the leads, but then he recreates the shower murder scene of "Psycho" - and outdoes it in viciousness! The two girls, and especially Andi Garrett as Libby, are natural and believable and not very cutesy (though they are cute!); John Ireland is scarily convincing as the baddie. Joan Crawford has a secondary role. *** out of 4.

The concept of this movie is one of its strongest points. Two teenage girls making a series of prank calls that they 'saw what you did' until by chance they call someone who actually has killed someone. Unlike the other Castle movies I've seen, this one actually has subtext. The girls' blossoming sexuality becomes the main reason for their problems as they (one in particular) are keen to rid themselves of teenage sexual frustration. Joan Crawford has a small role (but star billing, thank you very much) and, as has already been noted, does seem to be quite drunk in her scenes. Unfortunately, she also has about two feet of piled up grey hair that certainly wasn't her best look. She's convincing enough as an aging woman desperate to keep her man. Enjoyable enough for what it is, and recommended to anyone who liked 'Strait-Jacket' and the like.

Here's the plot: A teenage girl with her friend and younger sister(Andi Garett, Sara Lane, and Sharyl Locke) are left home alone one night by their parents, after the babysitter cancels. To amuse themselves, the decide to make prank phone calls(this was in 1965, long before caller ID or tracing existed) one phrase they use quite often to the people they call is "I saw what you did...and I know who you are." What they don't know is that one of the people they call, Steve Marek (John Ireland) takes them seriously, having just stabbed his wife to death! This film was really scary or at least very suspenseful, considering the time period. I was pretty much on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next. There are a few things that bring this film down, chief among them most inappropriate score I think I've ever heard. It was just corny. The acting in the initial scene between the two teen girls is bad, but gets better. This film comes highly recommended. 7/10

I saw this as a young girl and it really scared me then, I watched it again recently as an adult and it still has some suspenseful moments. You all know the story, 2 teenage girls spending the night without parental supervision decide to make prank phone calls, and damn the luck, they accidentally prank a murderer. Of course it gets really scary and dumb after that. In real life what teenager would actually try and meet the person they prank phone called? And then there's the aging, drunken Joan Crawford in a small but memorable role as a sex crazed neighbor. The plot is pretty weak, but overall it's a fun movie to watch on a rainy Saturday night.

I saw this movie when I was about 11 or 12 and I remember it to this day. (I am almost 40.)It scared the wits out of me and I certainly never wanted to make prank phone calls after that! I would love to see it again and share it with my kids. This a great B classic that not many people have seen.

Kids left alone in the house inadvertently play a phone prank on psychopath John Ireland, who has just murdered his trampy Mrs. in the shower! Whenever you see a biography of Joan Crawford's career, this title usually gets left out. True, she has a minor role in it (playing Ireland's neighbor, hoping to blackmail him into marriage), however it's one of the better movies she was involved in after "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" William Castle did a good job as producer/director of this story, and the two teenage girls are very appealing and natural. The movie builds some credible suspense (underlined with a jokey tone) and has interesting visual tricks and groovy music. Avoid the awful, too-literal 1988 TV-remake. **1/2 from ****

(POSSIBLE SPOILER) This is a classic b-movie from 1965.The B&W cinematography is beautiful and effective - mucho fog and fake scares but the basic premise - that of kids making prank calls and it coming back to terrify them is truly effective. I saw this when I was quite little and it scared the heck out of me. In fact, this and Snow White are two of my earliest film memories (and Joan Crawford is STILL creepier than the Evil Queen in Snow White). Joan actually has fun as a nasty, scene-stealer neighbor who wants the married man for herself. William Castle (I'm a big fan of his) made many effective, cheapo thrillers: Dr. Sardonicus, Homicidal & Thirteen Ghosts (to name a few). In fact, John Goodamn does a nice job playing a version of Castle in the underrated Joe Dante film, Matinée. But check out this little teenage scarefest and whatever you do - don't prank call someone right after they've killed a mate - they're not in the mood!!