Craze (1974)

Interesting facts

Craze is a 1974 horror film directed by Freddie Francis and starring Jack Palance, Diana Dors, Julie Ege and Edith Evans. It was written by Herman Cohen and Aben Kandel, based on the 1967 novel The Infernal Idol by Henry Seymour. The film centers on Neal Mottram, a psychotic antiques dealer who sacrifices women to the statue of Chuku, an African idol. It was the last film produced by Herman Cohen.

Production

The film was based on the 1967 novel The Infernal Idol by Henry Seymour. In 1972, it was reported Herman Cohen had the rights and a script was being written. In March 1972, it was announced Jack Palance would star in a film version, which would be a co production between Herman Cohen and Joe Solomon.

Freddie Francis had made a number of horror movies for Amicus and other producers, including Herman Cohen for whom he directed Trog (1970). Francis wrote in his memoir: "No sooner had I started it than I realised I was flogging a dead horse." He stated that there were "only four good things about" the movie – Palance, Trevor Howard, Edith Evans and Hugh Griffith – adding "Jack lost interest in it almost straight away, Hugh and Trevor were both he…

Palance arrived in London to make the film which began filming in March 1973. Cohen says he got along with Palance but "everyone else was afraid of Jack – he has that aura about him. Freddie Francis was scared stiff of him."

Francis later said, "Even Jack couldn't help that one. I thought we could've made something of it with Jack, but once again Herman had this old Aben Kandel writing the scripts and I think Abe would do anything Herman told him." Francis also said the film was "not that good."

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