Hands of a Stranger is a 1962 American horror film directed by Newt Arnold and is unofficially the fourth film adaptation of The Hands of Orlac.
Plot: 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 Dr. 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.
Afterwards, Vernon starts to become even more unstable and goes on a violent rampage.
Credits
Paul Lukather as Dr. Gil Harding
Joan Harvey as Dina Paris
James Stapleton as Vernon Paris
Ted Otis as Dr. Ross Compton
Michael Rye as George Britton
Laurence Haddon as Lieutenant Syms
Elaine Martone as Eileen Hunter
George Sawaya as Tony Wilder, The Cab Driver
Michael Du Pont as Dr. Ken Fry
Sally Kellerman as Sue
David Kramer as Carnival Barker
Irish McCalla as Holly
Barry Gordon as "Skeet" Wilder
Directed by Newt Arnold (as Newton Arnold)
Screenplay by Newt Arnold
Based on idea from Les Mains d'Orlac 1920 novel by Maurice Renard
Produced by Newt Arnold, Michael Du Pont
Cinematography Henry Cronjager Jr.
Edited by Bert Honey
Music by Richard LaSalle
