Experience a Captivating Restoration of a Critically Acclaimed Anti-Message Film
By Dolores Quintana
On July 14, 2023, at 7:30 pm, Telegrams from the Edge: The Message Picture in the Age of Noir program at the Billy Wilder Theater will showcase a restored gem of American cinema with a screening of “Shock Corridor.” Admission to this powerful film is free, with seats assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance reservations are required; tickets can be obtained at the box office one hour before the event.
Preservation funding for this restoration has been provided by The Film Foundation and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, ensuring audiences can experience the film’s incisive commentary on American society in full glory.
Directed and written by the renowned Samuel Fuller, “Shock Corridor” is an anti-message film that masterfully critiques the deeply ingrained psychoses of the era, including racism, sexual repression, and political paranoia. In this scorching exposé, Fuller shatters the archetype of the crusading reporter, transforming the protagonist (played by Peter Brock) into a manipulative careerist seeking fame through an investigation of a corrupt mental institution.
Going undercover as a patient, he unravels a murder mystery through interactions with fellow inmates who embody a myriad of sociological delusions.
Fuller’s audacious approach to depicting the characters’ mental states includes innovative techniques such as incorporating found footage color inserts throughout the film, enhancing its unsettling and unhinged atmosphere. The director’s unflinching exploration of American society’s core issues captivates viewers and exposes the dark underbelly of the era.
This restoration of “Shock Corridor” has been meticulously undertaken by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, ensuring that the film’s historical significance and artistic vision are preserved for future generations. Viewers should note that the film contains offensive language, a reflection of its uncompromising portrayal of the realities of the time.
