This unduly sidestepped thriller, one quite shocking for its time, recounts a psychologically troubled young painter named Richard who seeks clinical help for his worrisome condition, but is repeatedly turned away in view of his impecunious financial status. While he struggles through a tangle of procedural red tape and empty promises from indifferent social workers, his mental state grows increasingly discordant. One afternoon he has a chance meeting with a middle-aged mother of two grown daughters, and, seizing this opportunity for some much-needed stability, proceeds to sagaciously enmesh himself into their lives. It's a satisfactory situation at first, though the ladies soon begin taking notice of his high-strung, impetuous peculiarities, puzzling over his awkward reactions to rather benign matters(especially those of an intimate nature). Tensions escalate, and latterly give rise to unspeakable tragedy. EDGE OF FURY is a surprisingly accomplished low-budget picture, chiefly owing to the artful and highly atmospheric black-and-white cinematography, and also to the talented key players whose names you probably don't know, but whose faces may seem familiar. It's a downbeat, extremely lurid picture, yet it approaches its core issue of criminal mental illness with some degree of sensitivity and honesty. I suspect this is a possible candidate for the canon of "film gris"...a proposed subcategory of film noir. The distinctions, though somewhat unclear, point toward pessimistic crime dramas with a left-leaning narrative, generally cautioning that violent criminals are a product of the very society they prey upon. As well, the shadowy world of film noir is not found in film gris, which is otherwise rather stark and saturated in a drab palate of neutral and grey tones. EDGE OF FURY fits right in, though it's slightly outside the presently delineated film-gris timeline. All said, a well-made and ahead-of-its-time picture which is quite overdue for rediscovery. 7/10

EDGE OF FURY 1958This one is a low budget tale of one man's decent into madness. The cast includes, Michael Higgins, Lois Holmes, Jean Allison and Doris Fesette.The film starts with a young man on a New Jersey beach, Michael Higgins, being arrested by the Police. An off screen voice announced to be a psychiatrist, narrates the events leading up to Higgins arrest. Higgins is a man with more than a few mental issues. He was recently discharged from a mental hospital. Though he works in a bookstore, he spends most of his time wandering the Jersey Shore. He rents a small out of the way beach cottage and invites a family he just met to stay.The family is, a mother, Lois Holmes, and her two daughters, Jean Allison and Doris Fesette. They spend their time lolling around the beach swimming and sunbathing. Our boy, Higgins, is attracted to the older daughter, Miss Allison, who wants nothing to do with him. The younger daughter, Fesette, has a crush on Higgins who does not notice this at all. Higgins slowly becomes unglued as his psychiatric problems go untreated. Paranoia slowly overcomes Higgins has he fails to understand how to deal with the women. Matters take a nosedive when Allison shows up with a beau on her arm. The mother, Holmes can see that Higgins has problems, but writes it off to being shy. Needless to say, matters get worse with rape, violence and murder in the future. This shot on a shoestring film is pretty good despite its lack of budget. The film was made in 1953 but not released till 1958. The cast does some decent work here with Higgins in particular shining. With a bigger budget, and a better director at the helm, this could have been a real winner. It still is worth a look if you can find a copy. The director was long time b-film man, Irving Lerner. Lerner scored with a couple of excellent late 50's low rent film-noir, CITY OF FEAR and MURDER BY CONTRACT. Of particular note here is the director of photography, Conrad Hall. This was 10 time Oscar nominated, and 3 time winning cinematographer Hall's first film. Hall's work includes American BEAUTY, COOL HAND Luke, IN COLD BLOOD, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID and FAT CITY.Actress Jean Allison was a long time fixture on 50's and 60's television as a guest star.

As the writer director of this film it would be unethical for me to comment on it.. but I would love to know if there is a video tape(or DVD) available.I have only a 16mm print of it. The reviewer who mentioned the release date as incorrect.. it was made in 1953 sold to United artists and released in 1958. He also thought that the leading actor was dead two years before but that is not correct.. I do not know if he is still alive but I suggest that others search date bases to see if Michael Higgins is still with us but I know he appeared in the movie THE CONVERSATION Starring Gene Hackman... Perhaps he took the listing of the cast as having published the name with the starring name first. another thing that should be in the base is the name of the Director of Photography: Conrad Hall - It was his first feature and he went on to win Academy Awards... He died I think last year.

I saw this as the second half of a double bill in theatrical release. It's a gripping story of murder and madness, based on reality, from the novel "Wisteria Cottage" by Robert Coates, which I sought out right after seeing the film. The book is readily available, but the film seems to have disappeared from sight. I also believe "Edge of Fury" was made much earlier than its 1958 release date, as its lead male actor died two years prior to then. If by chance "Edge of Fury" ever shows up on a tape rack or late-night revival, I recommend you seize the opportunity to see this offbeat, frightening film. Recommended to all but children and the very sensitive.