Impulse (1974 film)


Impulse is a 1974 American horror thriller film, starring William Shatner as a serial killer of wealthy widows. Ruth Roman, Kim Nicholas, Jennifer Bishop and Harold Sakata co-star. It was written by Tony Crechales and directed by William Grefé.
The film was first released in Tampa, Florida, on January 31, 1974, where the filming took place. It was subsequently released nationwide in 1974–75, making nearly $4 million in the domestic box office.

Plot

Cast

According to the Examiner.com interview, director Grefé cast actors who were located in Miami at the time. He met Shatner at the airport, Bishop was Grefé's friend, and Sakata had a wrestling career there apart from appearing in the James Bond film Goldfinger.
Filming lasted 15 days, including 12 with Shatner and final three with other actors. During one take of the scene where Shatner's character hangs Sakata's character to death, Sakata nearly died of being accidentally hanged by tight rope. Fortunately, with Sakata's "superior neck development", the crew was able to save his life. Shatner broke his finger during the incident while supporting Sakata's weight.