Expert: Mel - 1/20/2011

Question
During the summer of 1978 I saw a movie on late night TV, in Boston, Massachusetts. It was black and white. The plot involved a psychiatrist treating a patient through hypnosis. The patient had received a large sum of money (perhaps as a ransom or through other criminal actions). The psychiatrist hypnotized the patient then had him take her to where the money was. Only the money was actually a pile of ashes he had buried in the ground. I've not been able to find it anywhere.

Answer
Hello Mary Ellen,

This sounds like the 1964 film "Shock Treatment" which starred Stuart Whitman, Carol Lynley and Lauren Bacall.

STORY OUTLINE: Gardener Martin Ashley kills his wealthy employer and surrenders to police. Psychiatrist Edwina Beighley testifies at his trial and through her testimony Ashley is committed to a mental hospital for observation. The estate's executor, Manning, believes that Ashley is faking insanity and that he had hidden the million dollars the dead woman kept at the mansion. Manning hires actor Dale Nelson to get himself committed and find out from Ashley the location of the money. Nelson obtains admission to the hospital, eventually making friends with Ashley and falling in love with Cynthia, a young manic-depressive. Dr. Beighley, however, is suspicious of Nelson, and she orders an investigation of his background. Under hypnosis Ashley has told Dr. Beighley that he has a great deal of money. The doctor, desperate for research funds, tries to extract from him information as to the money's whereabouts, but she is unsuccessful. As Nelson's true purpose becomes known, Dr. Beighley subjects him to experimental injections which delay his impending discharge by putting him in catatonic states. He finally escapes, however, and, after finding that Manning has died, rushes to the burned mansion where he comes across Ashley and Dr. Beighley digging up the money. The discovery that the cache contains the ashes of burned currency unhinges the doctor's mind and provokes Ashley into an attempt on her life. In the ensuing fight Ashley is killed. The doctor is then committed to her own institution as Cynthia is discharged.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058585/combined


Glad to be of help. Cheers.......Mel.