This film is also known by the title "Door to Door Maniac"--a title I much prefer.
Over the years, Johnny Cash had several opportunities to act as well as his own television show. However, back in 1961 he was definitely NOT an actor...and it shows. In fact, I really think this film would have been a lot better without him. Part of it is because his grumpy, brooding criminal routine is very one-dimensional (much like Elvis' in "Jailhouse Rock"). Additionally, they had Cash break into song in a very contrived manner. Imagine...Cash playing a cold- blooded assassin who just starts singing for no particular reason!
The film involves two low-lifes, Johnny (Cash) and Fred (Vic Tayback) pulling off a big crime. Fred's been watching the Wilson family for some time and now it's time for Johnny to go to work. Johnny kidnaps the missus and holds her hostage in the home...and forces her to listen to him sing! As for Fred, he informs her husband, the bank president, to withdraw $70,000 or his wife is history. The problem the criminals don't realize is that the man is about to leave his wife for another woman!! So will he just call their bluff? And what's going to happen to the wife?
Johnny Cash's performance sure ain't subtle...but it is, at times, entertaining...especially when he destroys the lady's home just for kicks or seems to be on the verge of molesting the woman. He's quite the sadist. But he never is particularly believable and the story has many very familiar story elements...things I've seen in many films such as "Ransom!", "The Desperate Hours", "Bone" (it's a LOT like that one) and even, believe it or not, "Ruthless People".
It's interesting that in such a trashy film that there's also a small role for little Ronnie Howard...after he was ALREADY a regular on "The Andy Griffith Show"...and you'd think his folks would have held out for better projects than this one!
Over the years, Johnny Cash had several opportunities to act as well as his own television show. However, back in 1961 he was definitely NOT an actor...and it shows. In fact, I really think this film would have been a lot better without him. Part of it is because his grumpy, brooding criminal routine is very one-dimensional (much like Elvis' in "Jailhouse Rock"). Additionally, they had Cash break into song in a very contrived manner. Imagine...Cash playing a cold- blooded assassin who just starts singing for no particular reason!
The film involves two low-lifes, Johnny (Cash) and Fred (Vic Tayback) pulling off a big crime. Fred's been watching the Wilson family for some time and now it's time for Johnny to go to work. Johnny kidnaps the missus and holds her hostage in the home...and forces her to listen to him sing! As for Fred, he informs her husband, the bank president, to withdraw $70,000 or his wife is history. The problem the criminals don't realize is that the man is about to leave his wife for another woman!! So will he just call their bluff? And what's going to happen to the wife?
Johnny Cash's performance sure ain't subtle...but it is, at times, entertaining...especially when he destroys the lady's home just for kicks or seems to be on the verge of molesting the woman. He's quite the sadist. But he never is particularly believable and the story has many very familiar story elements...things I've seen in many films such as "Ransom!", "The Desperate Hours", "Bone" (it's a LOT like that one) and even, believe it or not, "Ruthless People".
It's interesting that in such a trashy film that there's also a small role for little Ronnie Howard...after he was ALREADY a regular on "The Andy Griffith Show"...and you'd think his folks would have held out for better projects than this one!