{{Short description|1965 film by William Conrad}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = My Blood Runs Cold | image = File:My_Blood_Runs_Cold_Poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical poster | director = William Conrad | producer = William Conrad | screenplay = John Mantley<ref>{{Cite news|title=FILMLAND EVENTS: 'Mule for Marquesa' Bought by Columbia|date=Aug 25, 1964|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D7}}</ref> | story = John Meredyth Lucas | narrator = | starring = Troy Donahue<br>Joey Heatherton<br>Barry Sullivan | music = George Duning | cinematography = Sam Leavitt | editing = William H. Ziegler | color_process = Black and white | studio = William Conrad Productions | distributor = Warner Bros. Pictures | released = {{Film date|1965|3|24}} | runtime = 104 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = | gross = }} '''''My Blood Runs Cold''''' is a 1965 American neo noir thriller film starring Troy Donahue, Joey Heatherton and Barry Sullivan. It was directed by William Conrad. It was the second of three thrillers Conrad made for Warner Bros. Pictures. A young woman falls in love with a man who may be insane.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059487/ |title="My Blood Runs Cold", Internet Movie Database |accessdate=November 16, 2023}}</ref>

==Plot== After a car accident, Julie meets a stranger who tells her he is in love with her. The young man, Ben Gunther, believes he and the young woman, Julie Merriday, are the reincarnations of lovers from an earlier time. Ben calls Julie 'Barbara' and gives her a gold locket with her picture in it. Ben takes her sailing and they swim to a cave where he tells her he found the locket. Aunt Sarah confirms Ben's stories that match the family history. Julie's controlling father and boyfriend distrust Ben. He convinces Julie of his beliefs and encourages her to run off with him to marry. Julie's need for independence leads her to say yes to Ben.

On a stormy night the couple sail away to elope. The father calls the Sheriff who discovers Ben's real name is Arthur Maine, an escaped murderer from an insane asylum. The police search for the sailboat by helicopter. Julie finds a diary of Benjamin H. Gunther dated 1874 on the boat that exposes Ben's fraud. Julie is scared but he still professes his love.

To escape the police, the couple land the boat but are seen running on a beach. There is an extended chase and boyfriend Harry tries to reason with 'Ben'. Julie escapes but the two men climb a high sand plant platform and in the struggle Ben falls to his death.

==Cast== * Troy Donahue as Ben Gunther * Joey Heatherton as Julie Merriday * Barry Sullivan as Julian Merriday * Nicolas Coster as Harry Lindsay * Jeanette Nolan as Aunt Sarah * Russell Thorson as Sheriff * Ben Wright as Lansbury * Shirley Mitchell as Mrs. Courtland * Howard McNear as Henry * Howard Wendell as Mayor * John Holland as Mr. Courtland * John McCook as Owen

==Production== The movie was a considerable change of pace for Donahue. It was shot on the Monterey Peninsula in late 1964.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Trend: Are Movies Going to the Cats?: Chad, Jeremy Meet Beatles; Troy Donahue 'Going Psycho'|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|date=Oct 12, 1964|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Troy Is Playing New Kind of Role|date=Nov 2, 1964|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D22}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Box office=== The film was profitable.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Conrad Sees Green in Future|author=Thomas, Kevin.|date=July 6, 1966|work=Los Angeles Times|page=c9}}</ref>

===Critical=== ''The Washington Post'' called the film "woolly" and full of plotholes.<ref>{{Cite news|title=A Fate Worse Than Insanity|author=Richard L. Coe.|date=Sep 10, 1965|newspaper=The Washington Post|page=B37}}</ref> The ''New York Times'' called it a "wordy, bloodless little Warner chiller."<ref>{{Cite news|title=My Blood Runs Cold' Brings Troy Donahue to the Palace|author=Thompson, Howard|date=Mar 25, 1965|work=New York Times|page=42}}</ref> "A blah Troy Donahue and a bad script spoil the show" said the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=My Blood Runs Cold' Taps Vein of Banality|author=Thomas, Kevin.|date=Apr 2, 1965|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D14}}</ref>

==See also== *List of American films of 1965

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb title|0059487}} * {{TCMDb title|24762|My Blood Runs Cold}} * [https://letterboxd.com/film/my-blood-runs-cold/ ''My Blood Runs Cold''] at Letterbox DVD * [https://web.archive.org/web/20190824042740/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b10d2ca ''My Blood Runs Cold''] at BFI * [https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F03E5DA153CE733A25756C2A9659C946491D6CF Review of film] at ''New York Times'' * [http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/6909-DVD-REVIEW-MY-BLOOD-RUNS-COLD-1964-STARRING-TROY-DONOHUE-AND-JOEY-HEATHERTON.html Review of film] at Cinema Retro

Category:1965 films Category:1960s psychological thriller films Category:American black-and-white films Category:American psychological thriller films Category:Films scored by George Duning Category:Films directed by William Conrad Category:Films set in California Category:Warner Bros. films Category:1965 English-language films Category:1965 American films Category:English-language thriller films Category:1965 black-and-white films