‘The surgeon’s scalpel writes a thriller!’
Hands of a Stranger is a 1962 American horror thriller film about a concert pianist who loses his hands in a car crash. However, a gifted surgeon gives him new hands. Unfortunately, the experimental medical procedure goes awry when the new hands drive the pianist mad.
Co-produced, written and directed by Newt Arnold (Blood Thirst), the movie is unofficially the fourth film adaptation of The Hands of Orlac, a 1920 French novel by Maurice Renard. The Glenwood-Neve production stars Paul Lukather, Joan Harvey and James Stapleton.
Plot [may contain spoilers]:
When the hands of pianist Vernon Paris are destroyed in a taxicab accident, he receives a double hand transplant from a recent murder victim. Although lead surgeon Doctor Harding declares the operation a success, Vernon is visibly distressed and seems unable to accept his new hands. Meanwhile, the doctor is questioned by Lieutenant Syms of the police department about the recent murder victim and the apparent secrecy surrounding his operating room.
Feeling sullen and still unable to deal with having someone else’s hands, Vernon seeks comfort from his girlfriend, Eileen, but she is unsympathetic. As he reaches out to her, she becomes repelled by his scarred hands, knocking over a candle and setting her dress on fire. As she burns to death, Vernon becomes frozen and does nothing to save her life.
Afterwards, Vernon starts to become even more unstable and goes on a violent rampage. He visits the home of the taxi driver who caused the accident, and after being unable to play the piano for the driver’s son, he knocks over and kills the young boy…
Trailer:
Clip:
Full film – free to watch online on YouTube [1080p HD]:
“Colorized” version:
Notes:
Filmed in 1960.
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