October Moth

Lana Morris displays impeccable British stiff-upper-lip in this low-budget, gloomy drama from 1960. She plays Molly, who lives an isolated life in a cottage with her mentally ill brother, Finlay (Lee Patterson). While out catching moths one night, Finlay causes a car to crash off the road, leaving its unnamed driver (Sheila Raynor) comatose. Confusing her with his long-dead mother, Finlay carries her home and won't let Molly get the poor woman medical help. And so Molly must hatch a plan to outwit her beloved brother, even as he grows increasingly erratic and suspicious. If you're looking for a sensitive depiction of mental illness, this isn't it; Finlay's breakdown is mainly signalled by his wild eyes and growing paranoia. But there's a surprising vulnerability there, too, imitating (surely coincidentally?) Anthony Perkins in Psycho - released in the UK the very same month. It all gets a bit silly, but Molly's determination to help their injured visitor is admirable enough to hold the attention.